Saudi govt. gives counselor access to detained Pak family

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday said the government values its warm relations with Saudi Arabia and hoped that the relations between the two countries would further strengthen by cooperation in political, commercial, economic, defense and cultural fields. Talking to Pakistans Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Umar Khan Alisherzai, the Prime Minister said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are brotherly countries which enjoy close ties and share common views on major international issues. Alisherzai informed the Prime Minister about the status of five Pakistani citizens detained in Saudi Arabia and told him that they had been given Counselor access and were kept comfortably. He informed the Prime Minister about presenting his credentials to His Highness Saud Al-Faisal soon after assuming responsibilities in Riyadh and communicated to him greetings from the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan. He also informed the Prime Minister about holding meetings with various high-level personalities in Saudi Arabia including Saudi Minister of Religious Affairs Prince Faisal Bin Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Chairman Saudi Research and Marketing group Riyadh as well as Imam of Masjid-e-Nabawai Abdul Rehman Ali Al-Hudheifi. The Prime Minister asked the Ambassador to ensure maximum facilitation for the Pakistani Hajj pilgrims this year. Alisherzai said he had also met the Chairman of South Asia Moassassa for this purpose.