ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia has donated King Abdul Aziz Mosque in Mansehra and King Fahd Mosque in Muzaffarabad to the Pakistani government and the brotherly Pakistani people.

The handing over ceremony of the gift was held in Islamabad on Monday. Among others, Minister for Religious Affairs Noor-ul Haq Qadri and Saudi Ambassador Nawaf Bin Said Al-Maliki were also present on the occasion.

Addressing the ceremony, the Minister for Religious Affairs said the two mosques had been damaged in the 2005 earthquake, and the local people wanted their reconstruction. He said both the mosques have been reconstructed by Saudi Arabia as a gift to the people of Pakistan.

The Minister said Saudi Arabia was among the leading countries that helped Pakistan during the 2005 earthquake.

Noor-ul Haq Qadri, on behalf of the government and the people of Pakistan, thanked the Saudi Government and the people of Saudi Arabia for this valuable gift.

Speaking on the occasion, the Saudi Ambassador said Saudi Arabia has always supported Pakistan in the hour of need.

Later talking to the media, the Ambassador said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have deep political and economic ties, which will further grow in days to come.