Pak thanks Saudi Arabia for generous support

JEDDAH—Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri on Sunday thanked Custodian of Two Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz for personally contributing generously to the cause of earthquake victims in Pakistan.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques saw this tragedy as a loss for the whole Muslim Ummah and assured to help in every possible way, Mr Kasuri told mediapersons here.
He highlighted the important features of his meetings with King Abdullah and other top officials.
He conveyed the deep appreciation and thanks of the President General Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and the people of Pakistan for the help the Kingdom has extended in such a difficult time.
The Pakistan Foreign Minister delivered the letter of President General Pervez Musharraf to King Abdullah. He invited King Abdullah on behalf of President Musharraf to visit Pakistan, to which he kindly agreed.
The Minister also thanked King Abdullah for the air bridge established by the Saudi Airlines and appreciated the efforts of the field hospital established in Manshera by Saudi doctors.
Responding to a question, Kasuri pointed out that the airlift campaign by NATO is the first of its kind outside the NATO region. NATO’s effort, he said, was in response to a UN appeal to the Organization to provide immediate relief assistance to Pakistan.
The Minister said that Pakistan is thankful for the help provided by the Organization whose engineering and medical battalions are helping to open roads and provide medical relief to affected areas.
About the October 29 blasts in New Delhi, the Minister strongly condemned this act of terrorism. “Islam does not allow such acts of terrorism”, he said.
He clarified that the opening of the LoC at five places will not be affected by this act of terrorism. Kasuri also pointed out that 2005 SAARC summit at Dhakka is still on cards and will take place on time.
The Foreign Minister also discussed OIC reorganization with top Saudi leadership and noted that both countries would work closely to make the summit successful and will take a common position.
It was agreed that efforts would be made to ensure that the Makkah summit to be held in December this year is a historic one.
The Minister also stressed on the international community to resolve all issues with Iran peacefully.—APP