iSLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz informed the Senate's foreign affairs committee on Monday that Saudi Arabia had gifted USD 1.5 billion to Pakistan and added that the country would not send arms to Syria or to any other country undergoing a civil war, DawnNews reported.
Addressing a meeting of the Senate's standing committee on foreign affairs in the federal capital, Aziz said the donation of 1.5 billion dollars by Saudi Arabia was a “gift for the people of Pakistan which was deposited in the Friends of Pakistan fund.
Aziz was further quoted as saying that Pakistan would not send weapons to Syria or to any other country going through civil unrest.
While giving details of the Saudi sum received by Pakistan, the adviser said "the grant given by Saudi Arabia is unconditional and in return Pakistan is not supposed to give anything to the kingdom".
Aziz also confirmed the purchase of weapons by Saudi Arabia, however, he added that the kingdom would not use these weapons against any other state.
He further said Pakistan had to balance its relations with both Iran and Saudi Arabia adding that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would soon visit Iran for which dates are being worked out by both governments.
The adviser also said Pakistan had not changed its foreign policy due to foreign funding.
The committee was also briefed by Foreign secretary on the state of overseas Pakistanis in Jeddah and steps being taken for Pakistan consulate in Jeddah for the welfare of these Pakistanis.
Moreover, committee-member Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed of the Pakistan Muslim league - Quaid (PML-Q moved a resolution condemning the incidents of terrorism in China and also expressed solidarity with the neighbouring country.
Speculation had been rife in Pakistan following a sharp recovery of the Pakistani rupee value, which rose to a nine-month high of 97.40 from 105.40 against the dollar between March 4 and 12, its strongest rally in 30 years.
Reuters later reported that the climb in the rupee's value was a result of Saudi Arabia's $1.5 billion "loan" to Pakistan last month which helped Islamabad shore up its foreign exchange reserves, meet debt-service obligations and undertake large energy and infrastructure projects.
Some sections of society were talking about the aid being granted to Pakistan as a reward for the country's u-turn in its foreign policy over the Syria issue.
Clarifying the ‘rumours’ regarding the status of the donation, Federal Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar said on March 15 that the amount was neither a loan nor was it given in return for any services.
The amount should be accepted with thanks and not be made controversial, he added.
— Mateen Haider contributed to the reporting of this story