Pakistan PM, Saudi Prince Visit Quake-Stricken Areas

Text of report by Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency

Muzaffarabad, 30 October: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz along with Saudi Prince Walid Bin-Talal Bin-Abd-al-Aziz Al Sa’ud, chairman [of the] Kingdom Holding Company, Sunday [30 October] visited the earthquake-hit areas of Muzaffarabad to review the ongoing relief and rehabilitation work.

AJK [Azad Jammu and Kashmir - Pakistani-administered Kashmir] President Sardar Mohammed Anwar Khan, AJK Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat and Minister for Kashmir Affairs Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat and other officials received both the dignitaries at Neelum Valley stadium, when they reached there by helicopter. Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, Ali Bin-Sa’id Bin-Awad al-Asiri also accompanied the prime minister and Prince Walid during this visit.

The prime minister and Saudi prince visited different affected areas of Muzaffarabad city and appreciated the relief and rehabilitation works being carried out by Pakistan army to normalize the life here.

They also visited Abbas Institute of Medical Sciences to enquire about the health of the injured patients here.

The prime minister distributed cash compensation among the patients and also handed over some cheques of 100,000 rupees among the legal heirs of those who lost their lives in this devastated earthquake.

On the occasion, Prince Walid Bin-Talal, who is one of the five richest persons in the world, announced 1m dollars to help Pakistan continue relief efforts for the victims. He also announced to construct 20 schools in Muzaffarabad.

The donation of one million dollars is personal contribution of Prime Walid and he has already announced 7m dollars for the quake victims of AJK and NWFP [North-West Frontier Province].

Prince Walid, talking to newsmen at Muzaffarabad, said Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are very close friends and assured that Saudi Arabia would extend full help and cooperation to Pakistan in this need of hour [as carried].

He said he came here personally to visit the quake affected areas and express his deep sense of condolences and sympathies on this tragic loss due to devastated quake.

He appreciated the efforts of Pakistan army and international organizations and other friendly countries for their help and contribution in the affected areas.

Earlier, he attended a briefing at the army headquarters where he was informed that Pakistan army started rescue and relief operations immediately after 8 October earthquake.

Prince Walid said, “It’s a battle zone and Pakistan’s army [has] done a marvellous job.”