October 31, 2005	Monday	Ramzan 26, 1426

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 30: Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri has embarked on a tri-nation visit to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar to mobilise financial support for the October 8 quake relief and reconstruction efforts, a foreign ministry official said on Sunday.

Mr Kasuri began his trip to the three countries by meeting King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia in Makkah. He delivered a special message of President Gen Pervez Musharraf to the King thanking Saudi Arabia for its assistance.

King Abdullah assured the foreign minister of continued support for Pakistan during the crisis both from the government and people of the Kingdom.

Mr Kasuri would meet the Amir of Kuwait and the Kuwaiti prime minister and foreign minister on Monday. He would then proceed to Qatar on Tuesday where he would be holding talks with the Qatari leadership.

He would be seeking high-level representation of the Gulf countries in the upcoming November 19 Donors Conference in Islamabad.

The foreign minister’s visit has assumed greater significance because of the so far poor international response to appeals for relief and reconstruction in quake-stricken areas of Pakistan.

Besides, the foreign minister is seeking subsidy on oil imports and relaxation in payment of oil bill, well-placed sources told Dawn.

The petroleum requirements of Pakistan have risen sharply because of the relief operation.

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