RIYADH: Members of the Pakistani community, mostly construction workers, are hoping against hope that they would receive some monetary benefit from Saudi government during the coming holy month of Ramadan. Despite media reports that there was no truth that Saudi royals would disburse some amount, a large number of Pakistanis still believe that their filling of forms at the Saudi Post will fetch them “some financial help from the Saudi government.” The Pakistani Consulate in Jeddah has quashed rumors that the Saudi government is going to disburse some cash to members of the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, an official at Saudi Post, who requested anonymity, said their business was to dispatch letters and “that's exactly what we are doing by accepting and sending the mail in a sealed envelope to one of the princes' office in Riyadh,” he said. The official said a large number of Pakistanis are queuing up everyday to send the request. The Saudi Post is charging them SR30 for the service that includes filling up of form and a sealed envelop – and a registered post. The sender is only required to furnish personal details such as a copy of his iqama (residence permit) and mobile a number. The Saudi Post would do the rest. “Since they (Pakistanis) don't even know how to write the address, we are helping them with a letter already printed on an A-4 size in Arabic language, which we accept and mail,” he said. The rumor is also that the last date for filling the form at Saudi Post is June 29. Ahmed Bukhari, a white-collar Pakistani worker, who came to Saudi Post for some work attempted to convince his countrymen that what they were doing was based on rumors. Bukhari was seen advising members of his community not to believe in what they heard from others. “There is no truth of the financial aid,” Bukhari was heard as telling the crowd of people gathered at the post office. Asif Khan, a construction worker, said he was simply following what others were doing. “I will immediately remit the amount I receive to my family in Pakistan. They are in desperate need of the money,” said Khan. His fellow countryman and colleague, Muneer Ahmed, quipped saying that he would use the amount to buy a two-wheeler, which he needs badly during the hot summer days. “My accommodation is far from the construction site and I need to travel a long distance by private transport every day. I heard that a minimum of SR5,000 will be disbursed in the holy month of Ramadan and I would use that money to buy a second-hand moped,” he said. Knowing the purpose of these Pakistanis, the Saudi Post has set up counters where the Pakistanis can easily queue up and get things done. Interestingly, the staff assigned for the job include some of the security guards, which is also aimed at reducing the work load, said one Saudi Post official.
