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| October 28, 2005 | Friday | Ramzan 23, 1426 |
Saudi Arabia pledges all-out support
ISLAMABAD, Oct 27: A high-power Saudi delegation comprising president of the Saudi Red Crescent Society Dr Saleh Al Twaijri and Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Ali Awadh Aserri on Thursday called on federal Health Minister Muhammad Nasir Khan and assured all-out support to Pakistan for quake-victims. Federal Secretary Health Syed Anwar Mahmood was also present on the occasion.
The Saudi delegation informed the minister that 120 million Saudi Riyals were collected as donation in response to a Saudi Television telethon.
They said that every day two flights with relief goods were arriving from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan.
Besides, a 50-bed field hospital of Saudi Arabia was functioning in Mansehra, said the Saudi Ambassador.
The Saudi Government has provided 500 million riyals for the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase, said Dr Saleh Al Twaijri.
The delegation asked the health minister to apprise them of further requirements and his country would provide the same immediately.
The federal health minister expressed profound gratitude on behalf of the people and the government of Pakistan for the support of the Saudi government.
Later, managing director of multi-national pharmaceutical Merck Sharp & Dohme Tahir Iqbal handed over a cheque of US$250,000 to the federal minister.
Dr Nasir Ahmed Chaudhry, president of the National Council for Homeopathy, also presented a cheque of Rs300,000 to the minister for the quake victims. Teams of the council are already working in the affected areas.
The minister appreciated the business community and other organisations for their contributions.—APP
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