Saudi Arabia denies funding 'extremist mindset' in Pakistan

Irfan Haider Published February 9, 2015

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia on Monday denied funding of what it called the extremist mindset through its financial support of religious seminaries in Pakistan.

"A section of the media has been propagating a false impression that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is funding the extremist mindset in Pakistan through its financial support for religious seminaries," a press statement issued by the Saudi embassy said.

"Whenever any seminary, mosque or charity organisations request the kingdom for financial assistance, the embassy refers the matter to the Government of Pakistan through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for examining suitability of the applicant," the statement added.

Read: Federal minister accuses Saudi govt of destabilising Muslim world

It went on to say that only "when the ministry of foreign affairs informs the embassy in writing that the financial assistance is in the interest of public welfare, the assistance is provided to the applicant ... The assistance has always been beyond any sectarian considerations".

The Saudi embassy's statement comes weeks after Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Riaz Hussain Pirzada accused the Saudi government of creating instability across the Muslim world by distributing money in order to promote religious extremism.

The minister had said that the time had come to stop the influx of Saudi money into Pakistan, which he claimed had a destabilising influence.

During Senate session on January 30, Minister of State for Interior Baligur Rehman had informed the House that Middle Eastern countries namely Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Iran and the United Arab Emirates were giving aid to religious seminaries in three provinces.

The information was compiled on the basis of a report sent by provincial Inspector Generals. According to the report: 23 religious seminaries in the country were receiving foreign assistance.

Explore: Foreign funding of militancy

Pakistan

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Parvez

Feb 09, 2015 03:11pm

......and who believes them ?

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Harmony

Feb 09, 2015 03:13pm

But, directly or indirectly, such financial assistance was provided be it with the consent of the government.

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Jamshed

Feb 09, 2015 03:13pm

Yeah of course they won't release a press statement saying, 'Yes we were funding extremist seminaries promoting Wahabism. Sorry about that.' Everyone knows where the money comes from, it is time we debated the suitability of these petro-dollars in the assemblies.

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Jason

Feb 09, 2015 03:18pm

Don't worry Saudi "brothers", you've looked after Pakistani leadership very well so they will ensure that you are not troubled. They have India to blame for any terrorist activities. By the way, when would you like to come back for Bustard hunting?

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Imran

Feb 09, 2015 03:20pm

Why don't we see any Saudi-funded public welfare projects in Pakistan? And regarding these "sections of the press", is Saudi Arabia going to lash them 1000 times for speaking out?

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Jatt

Feb 09, 2015 03:23pm

So they made their position clear and it if for the relevant Pakistani Ministry to respond. Lets get to the bottom of this for once. If the Pakistani Ministry is responsible then we know who to hold accountable from now on.

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farooq

Feb 09, 2015 03:23pm

I am always amazed at the alarmingly high number of Muslims especially Pakistani having a negative sentiment towards the Kingdom

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Naxalite

Feb 09, 2015 03:25pm

And these funds are getting delivered exactly to the opposite side. Height of incompetence?

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T.M. Reddy

Feb 09, 2015 03:27pm

US, NATO and other Arabic countries believe what the Saudi says. They do this till the "oil flow" ends.

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spiderman

Feb 09, 2015 03:28pm

I guess Pakistan is better-off without their support for welfare activities.

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Sarfraz

Feb 09, 2015 03:37pm

Our minister must be out of his mind! Unfortunately a bunch of people overwhelmed by west and western propaganda have lost the sense of differentiating between friends and foes. To them anything coming from west is perfect !! KSA is and will remain Pakistan's sincere friends.

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Sourabh

Feb 09, 2015 03:39pm

I will request all of my Pakistani brothers not to believe these cunning Saudi Sheikhs. A balcanized South Asia is beneficial for the Arabs . Thats why they fund extremism in the region. They have just given details of over the table transactions. What's about below the table transactions???????

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faisal baloch

Feb 09, 2015 03:42pm

what a lie from the self-acclaimed islamic kingdom! they have been doing this for years and to the fullest extent. they are the reason for what pakistan is today. Why the USA does not declare them as the terrorists?

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Adventurer

Feb 09, 2015 03:44pm

Saudi funding means saudi ways must be imposed - even though it is too late but must stop depending on Saudi funds.

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Syed Hussain Akbari

Feb 09, 2015 03:55pm

@Parvez I join you in your assessment of KSA. It is now an open fact that wherever sectarian problems are occurring it is the KSA behind the scene. They have played the game so high that it has become out of their control and now Daesh, their and USA,s joint child, has appeared from the blue and has become headache for them now. They are now hunting for the way to eradicate Daesh or put the string around some other country. KSA is now working to disturb the tranquility of Bangladesh.

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UncleSAM

Feb 09, 2015 04:02pm

If you read this article carefully you will understand following. 1. Saudi Arabia does provide financial assistance to seminary, mosque or charity organisations in Pakistan. 2. They leave it to the Government of Pakistan to examining suitability of the applicant. Now draw your own conclusions!

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olive

Feb 09, 2015 04:03pm

The Saudis ain't no saints and the whole world knows it.

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Saeed

Feb 09, 2015 04:09pm

What about the funding recvd by seminaries directly from private sources?

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SAT GOEL

Feb 09, 2015 04:13pm

Does that mean that the Govt of Pakistan is complicit in this game of funding the socalled seminaries?

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Datta

Feb 09, 2015 04:16pm

Absolute rubbish. Just denying allegations is not enough.

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rahul1

Feb 09, 2015 04:23pm

Is there Anti Money Laundering regulation in Pakistan?

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jay

Feb 09, 2015 04:26pm

Common religion dont mean common objectives ,

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G O Gujjar Gujjar

Feb 09, 2015 04:26pm

The mushroom growth of Wahabi Madariss and Mosques is result of this welfare project. The rapid increase in such Mosques and seminaries is creating fissures in the society.So all such fundings be banned.

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Mehtab

Feb 09, 2015 04:37pm

Money in wrong hands itself a very dangerous weapon.

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karthik

Feb 09, 2015 04:38pm

Foreign money not used properly so it is not their fault

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Samantha Smith

Feb 09, 2015 04:40pm

Stop the inflow of ALL foreign funding. Seminary administrators as well as teachers must also be monitored for all cash transfers via western union and other money transfer firms operating in Pakistan. NGOs and Charities must also be strictly monitored in a similar manner.

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Unshackle Pakistan

Feb 09, 2015 04:42pm

@rahul1 Regulations don't stop funding. Have they ever? What's needed is for the people to become prosperous so that they don't need funding or other external contributions have have work and other things to look forward to. That prosperity comes from removing the stifling trade barriers and gov't control over prices. The people with free market give a better platform to bring about change and creative juices, and all this for one's own self interest.

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AHMED

Feb 09, 2015 04:46pm

@farooq Having a "negative attitude" towards "the kingdom" is good. Just like having a negative attitude to any other form of autocracy or dictatorship is wrong. Unless you think Allah appointed the Saud family of rogue princes to be the eternal autocrats.

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Ajamal

Feb 09, 2015 04:53pm

We Pakistanis suffer from self denial. It is easiest for us to blame others for our failings. Blaming Saudi Arabia for funding the extremism is one example, instead of putting our own house in order.

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Abdullah

Feb 09, 2015 04:54pm

I am surprized to know that even Qatar and Iran are providing funding to religious seminaries in Pakistan....

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Husain Jan

Feb 09, 2015 04:59pm

@farooq No need to get amazed at all...and any more. The negative sentiments are not new...the sentiments were already there in the hearts since long but now people have gathered the required courage to speak out the hearts. It is not secret any more as news of Saudi support to terrorists are regularly appearing in international media ..support not only to terrorists / extremists of Pakistan but of other countries too.

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LION

Feb 09, 2015 05:04pm

Send it to Provencial govts with informing to Federal Govt with detail!

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Shahram

Feb 09, 2015 05:07pm

Yes well the public includes Shias, Ahmedis, Sunnis, Christians etc. I don't see this welfare reaching most of them except in the form of hate speech to instigate violence against them.

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Attique

Feb 09, 2015 05:15pm

saudi report is in response to allegations by some sections of media.

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Habib Ur Rahman

Feb 09, 2015 05:18pm

The "clarification" does not clarify anything! The spokesman is talking about the money which comes through the official sources from Kingdom / Govetnment of Saudi Arabia but the money which supports extremism and sectarianism in Pakistan and several other countries reportedly comes from rich private individuals and organisations. Now, it is not difficult to immagine who are the rich and influential people in Saudi Arabia who can manage to pump the money to sectarian outfits of their liking outside the country. When Maulana Fazlur Rehman challenges the government, saying "Nobody can dare to stop foreign funding to madrassas, which money is he talking about? And why the madrassa nazims are so furious if no money is coming?

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AXH

Feb 09, 2015 05:20pm

It is like a thief denying stealing. The entire world know that terrorism is funded from KSA, especially in poor Muslim countries. Well, with IS knocking at its doors, it will soon find out the meaning of what goes around comes around.

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public

Feb 09, 2015 05:20pm

They should point out one welfare project for the people. Madrasa is a project that benefits the man running it. Most have their residences attached to the building. Get free food and do not hasitate to occupy any adjoining property. If the money was spent on peoples welfare and education was based on Islamic teachings then we would not have had such chaos in society.

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Syed Ganga Din

Feb 09, 2015 05:22pm

What else would they say?

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jakoji

Feb 09, 2015 05:23pm

@farooq What's so positive? If you say employment oppurtunities - then they do so without giving citizenship. You can't marry their women.. Legal rights for women are curbed.. On top of this, almost all terror issues, there is a Arab funding angle.. How I wish the Turks had oil, instead of bird-brained S.Arabians..

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Danish

Feb 09, 2015 05:23pm

Its not so simple as explained by Saudia. ''The rising smoke is indication of the fire underneath.''

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Azam Jamil

Feb 09, 2015 05:24pm

I think they have learnt this denial game from us!!!

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Danial

Feb 09, 2015 05:25pm

Why would they trust our government when even we don't trust our political governments?

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Karrar

Feb 09, 2015 05:29pm

Why can't KSA fund hospitals, orphanages or at the least stop hunting endangered species?

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Feb 09, 2015 05:32pm

Religious brainwashing actually occurs within Saudi Arabia. A large Pakistani expatriate population there brought back the Saudi ideology. Also, Pakistani scholars have also been trained in that mindset even if they live in the West.

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khangul

Feb 09, 2015 05:32pm

If we believe the story, then why has the Pakistani government not enforced the audit of those funds?

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Rainman

Feb 09, 2015 05:48pm

@AXH very well said.

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Ijaz

Feb 09, 2015 05:54pm

I am glad KSA has issued this statement because it implies that they are sensing a swell of public opinion against them - hence the rather defensive statement. However the statement is worthy of analysis for one clause: - "Whenever any seminary, mosque or charity organisations request the kingdom for financial assistance, the embassy refers the matter to the Government of Pakistan through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for examining suitability of the applicant," the statement added This statement implies that the Foreign ministry is an independent and sovereign department - it most emphatically is not

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Sadiq

Feb 09, 2015 06:00pm

... and the Saudi officials expect us to believe their statements as if all Pakistanis are stupid.

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Ample reverence For Pak Army & Saudi Arab

Feb 09, 2015 06:04pm

Now you gonna spoil your bilateral relation with KSA too?

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Imran

Feb 09, 2015 06:23pm

There is no denying the fact that foreign funding to terrorists is being provided across South Asia. Saudi hand can also not be denied in this vicious game causing deaths and destruction of civilian population. It was bound to open because our leadership opened mouth like crocodile for charity money and corrupted it. They will not face the consequences but people's sufferings have been proliferated. Government, politiicans, military and bureaucracy are not sincere with the country. Everybody has been looting the country's resources.

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wise man

Feb 09, 2015 06:47pm

Let me clarify this: Even if funds were given to extremists by KSA, it may have been by non state actors and not state actors.

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kuriouskake

Feb 09, 2015 06:55pm

Hey,,Mr. Saudia., dont insult our intelligence please. We have our very own band of political clowns to do that for us...

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Feb 09, 2015 06:57pm

Politicians are very good at spinning at spinning the facts other way around.

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Seedoo

Feb 09, 2015 06:57pm

If you go to a prison and talk to he inmates, they will all tell you that they are innocent.

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C S Malhotra

Feb 09, 2015 07:23pm

Pakistanis convicted in Saudi Arabia get punished. Even beheaded. Saudi Royalty who violate Pakistani laws and Courts are welcomed and aided, assisted and abetted by the Pakistani establishment in these illegal activities. Who will save Pakistan? Who will save the crop when the fence starts eating the crop?????????

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humble

Feb 09, 2015 07:27pm

Build us hospitals, electricity generating power plants, more roads and clean water in rural areas, thats enough!

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xulfjan

Feb 09, 2015 07:38pm

@farooq Apart from the destruction and divisiveness instilled by their fundings,they are the most racist people around. Has anybody seen the way they treat Pakistanis at airports, work place and the rest? They have different pay structure for caucasians doing the same job with the same qualifications. Oil is a finite but we would still be around when it runs out!!

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Justice For All

Feb 09, 2015 07:43pm

A pack of lies!!!

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Agha Ata

Feb 09, 2015 07:45pm

Liar.

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ala

Feb 09, 2015 07:51pm

It is not the direct funding by Saudi government which should worry Pakistan but private funding by royal family members.

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lkhan

Feb 09, 2015 07:51pm

hahahaha.. tell another

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Syed Hussain Akbari

Feb 09, 2015 08:09pm

@Jatt And you believe them ? Why

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Syed Hussain Akbari

Feb 09, 2015 08:12pm

@Shahram Very well said Shahram. And it is true.

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Syed Hussain Akbari

Feb 09, 2015 08:13pm

Very well said Shahram. And this is very true.

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Altaf Hussain

Feb 09, 2015 08:16pm

Do Pakistan has anything of its own kinda economic thing.

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ashutosh sharma

Feb 09, 2015 08:19pm

Thanks god! at least India is not blamed. It is now people to understand who is their enemy.

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Junaid

Feb 09, 2015 08:24pm

Saudi's claim of not financing extremism is same as when they claim they are in Balochistan to monitor development programs instead of hunting bustards. Almost every country is funding either via financially or training wise one way or the other.

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B R chawla

Feb 09, 2015 08:27pm

Nothing comes without price. Pakistan beware you have already lost your self esteem

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Nilor Khan

Feb 09, 2015 08:32pm

They should Madrassas in their own country, Leave Pakistan alone. If they want to help they should invest in energy projects in Pakistan.

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Reader

Feb 09, 2015 08:33pm

What about private funding & every hajj & umrah trips for extremists elements of Pakistan? What about business of extremists elements pf Pakistan in KSA? Every educate citizen knows whats going on...

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Merchant

Feb 09, 2015 08:39pm

@Parvez nobody, Saudis think they can buy anything including madrasah mentality, houbara bustard hunting and list goes on.

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AJamal

Feb 09, 2015 08:43pm

It's funny to see people commenting on foreign funding while our rulers are involved in money laundering and setting businesses abroad.

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Ahmad

Feb 09, 2015 08:57pm

My friends in foreign office will be unaware of their involvement in scrutiny of this aid :)

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JoJo

Feb 09, 2015 09:01pm

No one needs your blood money. Keep it in the Kingdom. Leave us alone.

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Hasan

Feb 09, 2015 09:01pm

Well let's be honest, these are the same guys who tell the world they are running an enlightened, progressive monarchy, chosen wilfully from among the people to be the beacon of leadership within the Muslim world... :) Hasan

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Rajendra Tiwari

Feb 09, 2015 09:09pm

The letter from Saudi Embassy, stating that they are coordinating with Pakistan, should have been supported by a declaration a grant of over $100 billion to Pakistan to fight terrorism. Money talks words do not.

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Haider

Feb 09, 2015 09:27pm

i cant stop smiling at the fact that they have given this statement.But then again a statement is good enough to convince the people who have no knowledge..

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Mehtab

Feb 09, 2015 09:59pm

Why Saudi Philanthropy only goes for Islamic Seminaries ?

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irfan

Feb 09, 2015 10:03pm

Actually Saudis are busy supporting much bigger Monster '' Daish '' . All countries have taken measures against Daish except the Saudis . Saudi Arbia use your F15 and Euro fighters to support Jordan and UAE . At lease we see your dummy pilots have any skills.

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Saleem

Feb 09, 2015 10:11pm

I don't believe you.

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Asif Hussain

Feb 09, 2015 10:23pm

and who believes them, they are the one who created Al-Qeada

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kAFIRmUSAFIR

Feb 09, 2015 10:38pm

Saudi Arabia denies and Pakistan believes! The end.

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Roussou

Feb 09, 2015 10:39pm

You can fool people sometime but you cannot fool people all the time... and it's that time when we refuse to be fooled.

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Feb 09, 2015 10:50pm

Do not blame the Saudis, it is the Government of Pakistan which has failed in protecting Pakistan. If we have a vigilant and effective government, no foreigner will be able to do harm to Pakistan

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yussef

Feb 09, 2015 10:56pm

Surprise, surprise.

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ali

Feb 09, 2015 11:10pm

With this letter Saudi Arabia has clarified the press reports, but private financing could still be trickling in to the seminaries.It should also be kept in mind that both NS and specially IK have never condemned the TTP and its activities nor have they condemned the seminaries.People should ask him as what will be his position against the TTP, IS and Al Qaida the JUD etc and also the seminaries.if his party should come into power.

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Sample reverence for SA

Feb 09, 2015 11:28pm

"The assistance has always been beyond sectarian considerations". Hilarious, I almost fell off my chair from laughing especially when I have witnessed myself the hopeless conditions of the people living in the Al Hasa and Hofuf provinces treated as a non-entity community.

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samina

Feb 09, 2015 11:52pm

If the Kingdom was genuinely interested in the welfare of the people, they would have built roads, schools, hospitals instead of channeling money to mosques and madrasas. On a positive side, this letter is an official acknowledgment from the Kingdom that they are funding religious establishments.

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countryman

Feb 09, 2015 11:53pm

fools

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Ammar

Feb 10, 2015 12:04am

lol...what a load of garbage...I am glad that the US government is shifting their foreign policy towards Iran...once that happens the truth will surface!

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Feb 10, 2015 12:17am

What else can it say?

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brmurr

Feb 10, 2015 01:01am

Pakistan is just as guilty here, for not properly regulating, and managing these funds or donations, just as they have squandered US aid, so stop pointing fingers! Pakistan needs to be far more accountable!

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samar

Feb 10, 2015 03:26am

Please provide the list of beneficiaries of Saudi funding so we Pakistani People decides your money were used by terrorist or not

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Faris

Feb 10, 2015 03:39am

Thanks Saudi for clarifying. We believe you and now also confirm you believe in human rights, women drivers and preserving endangered bird species in Pakistan ! It's our own learns fault for being your slaves.shame on them.

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Mohammed

Feb 10, 2015 03:41am

The Saudis are not at fault at giving money - the fault lies with the mullahs in Pakistan who accept money. Its easy to shift blame to other nations for Pakistans problems but if the mullahs and politicians were sellable Pakistan would not have these problems.

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Prince

Feb 10, 2015 05:29am

Saudis are the bona fide liar. I have not found one Arab who speaks the truth.

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Feb 10, 2015 05:39am

Money to be used for only modern education , primary health and improving infrastructure.If money used for religious extremism it will destroy the society.

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Bilal Mustafa

Feb 10, 2015 05:43am

Criminals always disassociate themselves from their own acts. For Saudi dynasty, thousands of innocents are killed in sectarian violence is an evidence

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A Khan

Feb 10, 2015 05:49am

Don't worry The custodians of the house of Saud. Extremists funded from your largesse are soon coming home to roost. Nature plays in its own ways. It's not possible to fool all the people all the time. Enough is enough. You have had your days.

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Tanvir

Feb 10, 2015 05:50am

Saudi Arabia and Iran both are funding religious seminaries to promote their respective school of thought.

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Moby

Feb 10, 2015 06:56am

Yes we can see how they are spending money developing hunting of endangered birds.

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sirfaz

Feb 10, 2015 07:08am

@Sourabh exactly! can't believe these habitual liars ever!

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sirfaz

Feb 10, 2015 07:11am

@Datta lets have a UN investigation to see if they are saying the truth

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Pakistani

Feb 10, 2015 07:11am

@Ample reverence For Pak Army & Saudi Arab There is no friendship between countries ,it's only Intrests

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sirfaz

Feb 10, 2015 07:16am

@Husain Jan Read the news of the last few days. their royal family has been supporting terrorism for last many years

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sirfaz

Feb 10, 2015 07:22am

@jakoji "Bird brained" hunting their fellow birds, killers of their own species; having made their fellow birds extinct in their own land, now coming to pakistan to hunt. let's throw them out, them and their foul money, now!!!

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Ghaznavi

Feb 10, 2015 07:28am

I think before blaming Saudi Arabia we should seek a denial from our foreign office. After all charity starts from home so should accountability. BTW we should also demand similar explanation from Iran, the other supporters of terror.

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adibadi

Feb 10, 2015 10:34am

Saudi Arabia has always been let off the hook, at least publicly, for a great many things that would be vigorously condemned elsewhere in the world.

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muhammad farooq

Feb 10, 2015 04:22pm

For the kingdom it is possible to have two sets of books - #1 for the standard procedures of aassistance to seminaries and # 2 for funding extremism.

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saeeds

Feb 10, 2015 10:52pm

@farooq yes we don't like any one who work for there country. We like those who ready to destroy there own country.