MUZAFFARABAD, Oct 30: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal visited earthquake-ravaged areas in Muzaffarabad on Sunday and reviewed the ongoing relief and rehabilitation work there.
Both Mr Aziz and the Prince Al-Waleed appreciated the relief and rehabilitation work being carried out by Pakistan Army.
On the occasion, Prince Al-Waleed, one of the five richest persons in the world, announced a donation of $1 million to help Pakistan continue relief efforts for the victims. This is in addition to $7 million already announced by the Saudi prince for quake victims in Azad Kashmir and NWFP.
Prince Al-Waleed also announced that he would set up 20 schools in Muzaffarabad.
The Saudi envoy to Pakistan, Ali Saeed Awadh Al Asseri, accompanied the prime minister and Prince Al-Waleed during the visit.
AJK President Sardar Muhammad Anwar Khan, AJK Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat and Minister for Kashmir Affairs Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat and other officials received the two dignitaries at Neelum valley Stadium when they reached there by helicopter.
Mr Aziz and Prince Al Waleed also visited quake victims in the Abbas Institute of Medical Sciences and inquired about their health.
The prime minister distributed money among the patients in compensation for their injuries and handed over some cheques of Rs100,000 to the legal heirs of those who had lost their lives in the earthquake.
Speaking to newsmen in Muzaffarabad, Prince Al-Waleed said that Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were very close friends and promised to extend full help and cooperation to the country in its hour of need.
He said he had come here personally to see the quake-affected areas and express condolences and offer sympathy on this tragic loss.—APP
