ABBOTTABAD: Expressing satisfaction over the growing relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom’s Deputy Ambassador Habibullah Bukhari said it is time to take the bilateral ties to new heights.  

His comments were part of an address which he made while inaugurating a residential project ---  which is part of the Saudi Housing Complex (SHC) and funded by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) -- at the Ayub Medical Institute in Abbottabad.

Bukhari said that the SHC, which comprised 114 residential apartments, is a gift from Saudi Arabia to the people of Pakistan. “This residential complex is a gift to our brothers here from the Kingdom,” he told the gathering. The SHC project includes 19 buildings, with each building housing six apartments. 

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Head of Mission, Engineer Abdullah Al-Shoabi, and the regional manager for operations at SFD were the chief guests for the occasion. “We are very pleased with the completion of this project,” Al-Shoabi said.

The project was inaugurated by Dr Khaled bin Sulaiman Alkhudairy, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of SFD. Earlier, Brig. Retd. Aftab Qureshi, Director-General of Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority paid a rich tribute to the late King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman on behalf of Pakistan for their timely support after an earthquake devastated areas in Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa a few years ago.

He also appreciated Al-Shoabi for his continuous support and dedication in ensuring an early completion of the projects. 

Al-Shoaibi, on his part, said that it gave him great satisfaction that the project was finally complete, adding that relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia extend beyond diplomatic, economic, and social spheres. “It gives me great pleasure today to see you in this beautiful city of Abbottabad for the inauguration ceremony of Saudi Housing Complex. This is, indeed, a happy occasion for all of us,” he said.

Sharing minute details of the project, he said Saudi Arabia extended support by granting SR600 million for the project after a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 2016. The grant covers 31 projects including a health and an education facility. “The Saudi government is very responsive to Pakistan and the relations are getting stronger,” he said.

The event ended with Bukhari unveiling a plaque and visiting the newly-constructed apartments. 

Several civil and military officials, public representatives, and residents of the area were part of the inauguration ceremony.