Syed Mussarat Khalil JEDDAH – Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf restated Saudi Arabia and Pakistan's strong relationship on Monday at a reception hosted in his honor by the Pakistani community. Ashraf said whenever Pakistan needed aid due to floods, earthquakes, or other natural disasters, Saudi Arabia immediately came forward and helped the victims generously. He asked the Pakistani community, which comprises about 1.5 million of Saudi Arabia's population, to respect the laws of the Kingdom and uphold a positive image of Pakistan. Pakistan People's Party (PPP) chairman, Syed Khursheed Shah, said that the PPP is realizing the vision of the late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. He acknowledged his appreciation of President Asif Ali Zardari's selection of Ashraf as the country's new prime minister. Ashraf stated that with the support of its allies, the PPP has presented five budgets and is now entering the election process. He also said the situation in Baluchistan is improving and power shortfalls in the area have decreased from 8,500 megawatts to 3,000 megawatts. A large number of PPP members all over the Kingdom attended the function, and sung the slogans “Zinda hay Bhutto Zinda hay” and “Aik Zardari sub pa bhari”. The prime minister was accompanied by Khursheed Ahmad Shah, Minister for Religious Affairs, Mohammed Naeem Khan, Pakistan's Ambassador to the Kingdom, Abdul Salik Khan, Consul General, MNA Chaudhry Nazir Jatt, Chaudhary Shahbaz Hussain, former Federal Minister, Asghar Qurashi, Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) member and other officials. The event was organized and conducted by Tassawer Hussain Choudhary. — SG
