PESHAWAR, Sept 29: NWFP Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Sardar Mohammad Idris has said Saudi Arabia has always helped Pakistan in difficult times and the generous help provided by the Saudi government for earthquake victims has lessened their difficulties.

Talking to the Saudi ambassador during an Iftar dinner hosted by the latter in Islamabad on Friday, he said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had time-tested relations. He said the two countries had helped each other in odd hours.

He thanked the Saudi government for its cooperation in rehabilitation of earthquake victims.

The adviser to the NWFP chief minister, Fazalur Rehman Madni, and Syed Ali Nawaz Gillani were also present.—APP