Senior government leaders and others paid glowing tributes at a seminar to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for extending generous financial support to Pakistan when it was hit by killer earthquake in October 2005. People and government of Pakistan are deeply appreciative of the solidarity and support extended by the leadership and people of Saudi Arabia in the wake of the devastating catastrophe that wrecked parts of Azad Kashmir and the North West Frontier Province on October 8, 2005, Federal Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani said while addressing the function. The Pak-Arab Media & Research Center organized the seminar on Saudi contribution in rehabilitation of earthquake victims at an Islamabad hotel on Thursday. Among others ambassadors of Sudan, Oman, Yemen and a senior diplomat of Tunisia were also present. Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, his father and former premier and president of Azad Kashmir Sardar Abdul Qayyum, Saudi Ambassador to Islamabad Ali Awadh Asseri, Deputy Director of the Saudi Public Assistance for Earthquake Victims (SPAPEV) Dr Khalid Osmani, Sultan Fayyazul Hassan Shah, representing Islamic Health UK, Mohammad Munsha of Michigan Builders, a representative of Muslim World League and International Islamic Relief, Munsif Hussain, Chairman, Citizens Board, Balakot and Naimatullah, Chairman Al-Khidmat Foundation, also spoke on the occasion. Asseri reiterated the strong resolve of the Saudi government to continue unlimited support to the quake affectees. The ambassador said the earthquake shocked everyone in Saudi Arabia. He said citizens including children and women made contributions to the appeal for donations for the quake victims. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, Asseri said, have eternal bonds of love in social, culture, political and every sphere of life, which continue to grow with the passage of time. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has handed 1200 housing units to the people of the affected areas.
