Saudi charity closes office in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Al-Haramain, a Saudi-based charity foundation, on Tuesday shut 10 of its overseas offices, including one in Pakistan, blaming “unfavourable behaviour” of the host governments in the backdrop of the US-led war on terror.

The foundation’s director, Sheikh Aqil Al Aqil, denied Washington’s allegations of links between the charity and extremist or terrorist groups. “My organisation raises around $53 million every year, 70 percent of which is spent to help poor Muslims around the world and for spreading Islam,” he added. He said there was no evidence to link the charity to any terrorist organisation in its ten-year history.—NNI

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