Relief to flood-hit people: Saudi response exemplary, says Firdous

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Friday said Pakistani and Saudi people are one nation, living in two countries and Riyadh's response to devastation caused by rains and floods in Sindh and Balochistan provinces, was exemplary.
This she said while talking to journalists on the occasion of seeing off, the relief convoy of 265 trucks loaded with relief items for flood victims of 34 districts of Sindh and Balochistan. The relief goods are part of King Abdullah's Relief Campaign for Pakistani People (KARCPP) 2011 flood relief campaign with 5,000 special tents, 30,000 blankets, and 50, 000 food packets.
Speaking about the Saudi relief goods, she said that this gesture of the Saudi King is laudable as this will help mitigate the sufferings of flood-affected people of Sindh and Balochistan. Appreciating the efforts of Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan, she said last year he personally travelled to far-flung flood-hit areas and added that the role played by Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Abdul-Aziz Al-Ghadeer is historic. She thanked the Saudi government for its response to the devastation caused by heavy rains in Sindh and Balochistan.
She said despite the fact that Saudi nation is mourning the sad demise of its Crown Prince, the Saudi government has come forward to provide relief to flood-affected Pakistani brothers, which speaks volumes of the brotherly bonds between the two nations.
Dr Firdous said Saudi government has always supported Pakistan in its hour of trial and 2005 earthquake and last year's floods are only the two examples of this help and assistance. She said these relief goods will be distributed among the flood victims just before Eidul Azha so that they can celebrate the solemn occasion. She said the Saudi government has also made special arrangements to distribute meat of sacrificial animals among the flood victims. Replying to a question from media, she said it was not time to get political mileage, rather all elected representatives should strive for provision of early relief to flood victims.