Islamabad, March 19 (IANS): Pakistan has defended taking a $1.5 billion aid package from Saudi Arabia, saying it will help overcome the country's economic crisis.
The opposition has alleged that the Saudi assistance had come at the cost of Pakistan's independent stand on Syria, Dawn online reported Wednesday.
"The aid has not been received from a smuggler but from a friendly country and it will be used for the welfare of the country and people," Hussain was quoted as saying.
He was speaking at the National Press Club here Tuesday.
"The hue and cry is being made on the aid given by a brotherly country," the president said.
He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif wanted to maintain friendly relations with all neighbouring countries.