Islamabad - Saudi Ambassador Jassim M Khalidi reiterated its country’s resolve to continue strong support for reconstruction of projects in earthquake affected areas of Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He made these remarks while visiting the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) headquarters here yesterday along with other embassy officials.
Al-Khalidi appreciating the efforts of ERRA said that Pakistan remains a close brotherly country and Saudi Arabia will always stand by Pakistan in time of need. He said that recently Saudi Arabia has signed 5 grants and one loan with the government of Pakistan.  He assured of future support in reconstruction of projects in earthquake-affected areas and said people of Pakistan are a priority for Saudi Arabia.
Acting Deputy Chairman Brig Abu Bakr Bajwa in his welcome remarks commended Saudi Arabia’s role for completion of over 50 mega projects in earthquake affected areas destroyed by major earthquake on 8th October 2005.
While eulogising the Saudi government and its people for their quick response for saving lives, the ERRA deputy chairman said the Saudi government immediately provided 8,000 shelter/prefab houses for people of affected areas of AJK and KP.  He added that since then Saudi Arabia has been an active development partner in reconstruction and rehabilitation of the earthquake-affected areas.
He said that Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have a long association and friendship. He added that it is tested by times with their funded projects in earthquake affected areas which is evident of a testimony that Saudi Arabia always been there in time of need.
He said that it was due to international development partners and resolve of the government of Pakistan that 600,000 housing have been reconstructed making ERRA as the only organization which successfully completed its flagship program above that over 10,000 projects in other sectors, which is well recognized by the world community and awarded UN Sasakawa Award. 
He said that on average ERRA has a completion rate of 80 to 100 projects per month, and all buildings and houses reconstructed by ERRA sustained the 26th October 2016 earthquake which jolted the areas with a magnitude of 8.1. He added that quality construction speaks of high standards of reconstruction followed by ERRA and its partners.
About ERRA’s early recovery model and the rural housing strategy, he recommended to be followed as an example internationally. Paying high tributes to Saudi Public Assistance for Pakistan Earthquake Victims (SPAPEV), which completed all projects pledged by the government of Saudi Arabia. He added that it indicates sign of love for the people of Pakistan. He assured that King Abdullah Mosque in Muzaffarbad will be completed by Dec 2016.