ISLAMABAD: A Saudi government agency responsible for providing financial and technical assistance to developing countries on Friday inaugurated the King Abdullah Campus of Azad Jammu and Kashmir University in Pakistan by allocating a grant of $90 million for the project. The campus has 15 academic departments and administration blocks along with a library, mosque, auditorium and comfortable student accommodation, the Saudi Press Agency reported. More than 10,000 students, faculty members, and employees are expected to benefit from the new facility, which aims to provide research opportunities and contribute to the sustainable socio-economic development of Pakistan. The project was inaugurated by the Saudi Fund for Development’s director general of Asia operations, Dr. Saud bin Ayed Al-Shammari, who was also accompanied by AJK President Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry. The inauguration ceremony was also attended by the Chairman of the Higher Education Commission, Professor Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, and the Vice Chancellor of the University of #AzadJammu & #Kashmir , Professor. Dr. Muhammad Kaleem Abbasi, alongside government officials from both sides… pic.twitter.com/k2mlC75Uyp — الصندوق السعودي للتنمية (@SaudiFund_Dev) August 4, 2023 “As the President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Chancellor of the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, I humbly acknowledge the pivotal role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, led by the visionary King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, in the wake of the calamitous earthquake of 2005,” Chaudhry said while addressing the ceremony. “The people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir will forever cherish the profound impact of the substantial financial assistance bestowed upon us, which not only rebuilt our beloved university but also sowed the seeds of an unyielding friendship between Saudi Arabia and Kashmir.” On October 8, 2005, a massive earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 struck the northern regions of Pakistan, including AJK, causing widespread devastation and resulting in the loss of thousands of life in the whole region. The seismic activity reduced entire villages and towns to rubble, and infrastructure, including hospitals, roads and educational institutions, was severely damaged. #Infographic | #SFD inaugurated the King Abdullah Campus of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir University (UAJK) to support #Pakistan s efforts in enhancing its education sector and achieving sustainable development goals. pic.twitter.com/GwfBPex5Jq — الصندوق السعودي للتنمية (@SaudiFund_Dev) August 4, 2023 The senior SFD official also mentioned the quake in his speech, saying his organization’s decision to construct the new campus was part of its commitment to work for sustainable development in Pakistan. “This project is a result of the close developmental relations, and successful longstanding partnership, which has existed between SFD and Pakistan for more than 47 years,” he said.