RIYADH, Oct 21: The Saudi-owned Al Arabiya satellite news channel has announced that it will jointly launch with the Saudi Television a telethon on Saturday to raise funds for victims of the massive earthquake which hit Pakistan.

The Saudi TV would air reports from Al Arabiya correspondents in the affected areas “in an effort to mobilize relief aid and raise donations to alleviate the human suffering,” said the Dubai-based Al Arabiya.

Al-Arabiya would be linked to both “the field base in Pakistan and the central donation receiving location in Saudi Arabia” but would not collect donations itself, the station said.

Saudi Arabia has already announced $133 million aid to Pakistan to help it overcome the effects of the earthquake. A massive operation to send relief goods is also seemingly on. The Pakistani expatriate community has been in the forefront collecting donations for earthquake victims.

The Pakistani embassy in Riyadh and the consulate in Jeddah have also been collecting donations. Million of Riyals have been donated so far. Tons of cargo, including tents, are lying at the consulate and embassy designated warehouses, waiting to be airlifted to Pakistan.

On the government-level more than 10 Saudi Arabian airlines cargo planes have reached Islamabad.