‘Saudi air-bridge bringing relief goods to remain operative’
By Asim Hussain

ISLAMABAD—Saudi Arabia again reiterated its fullest support to Pakistan in coping with its worst natural disaster said the "air-bridge" will remain operative as long as there was need for relief goods to come to akistan.
Saudi Ambassador Ali Awadh Asseri in a message on Eid-ul-Fitr said this year the people of Pakistan are struggling to cope with the after-effects of the Oct 8 earthquake that caused over 55,000 deaths and uprooted hundreds of thousands from their hearth. He said it was an occasion to share their sufferings and express solidarity with them.
"They need our understanding. They need our support. They need our help. We must move out to assure them that they are not alone in this hour of tragedy. Every Pakistani and every true friend of Pakistan is with them," Asseri added.
The Ambassador on behalf of the Saudi leadership, the government and the people expressed "deepest sense of shock on this natural disaster and the immense suffering that it has caused."
Asseri said "I would also like to extend an assurance that every Saudi stands together with the people of Pakistan in this hour of trial and we will do every thing possible to alleviate thesuffering and pain that this tragedy has caused." He said the custodian of the two holy mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz and the Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz are personally spearheading a nation-wide campaign to collect donations for the long-term rehabilitation of the displaced people. The "air bridge" established with Pakistan will remain operative as long as there is need for relief goods to come to Pakistan. He assured every possible help from Saudi Arabia for Pakistani brothers and sisters on a priority basis.
On this Eid ul Fitr, he said, "let's all make a genuine effort to share our happiness with those who are suffering. We can do so by visiting them at their homes, or at the hospitals where they are undergoing treatment, or at the makeshift relief camps where they have been lodged temporarily." He said a word of solidarity, a syllable of affection and love will mean so much to them.
"They are left with nothing. We have to fill up their lives and there will be nothing more meaningful than to spend a little time with them and to let them know that they are not alone in this hour of suffering."
Addressing the Pakistani nation, he said "your pain is our pain. We suffer when you suffer. You are not alone in this tragedy. Every Saudi shares your grief and sorrow and will stand with you through this difficult time."