ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday dispatched a consignment of aid for Syria where Israel has been carrying out strikes as part of its military actions in the Middle East.

Israel has been hitting what it calls Iran-linked targets in Syria for years but has ramped up such raids since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel, leading Israel to launch a military campaign in which more than 43,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and more than 3,500 people in Lebanon.

Israel launched its campaign in Gaza after a Hamas-led assault on southern Israeli communities in which some 1,200 people were killed and another 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies.

“On Tuesday, 20th consignment of aid was dispatched from Karachi to Syria,” the NDMA said in a statement. 

“This aid shipment, sent by NDMA in collaboration with Al-Khidmat Foundation [NGO], comprised approximately 17 tons of supplies, including rice buckets, powdered milk, tin food, family packs, sleeping bags, medical support kits and generator. The aid was dispatched via chartered flight from Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, to Damascus, Syria.”

Before Tuesday’s dispatch, the government of Pakistan had sent 12 aid consignments to Palestine, six to Lebanon, and one to Syria. 

Pakistan does not recognize nor have diplomatic relations with Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters” and the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Since the beginning of the war in October last year, Pakistan has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in Gaza and raised the issue at the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and other international forums, urging an end to Israeli military actions.

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s National Housing Co. has launched 11 projects in Riyadh’s Khuzam area, offering over 10,000 units to meet growing demand for quality housing in the Kingdom. 

These developments, including modern designs, are part of NHC’s strategic push to diversify housing supply and address the varied needs of Saudi families. 

The projects range from luxurious villas to contemporary apartments, catering to different client needs, according to a press release. 

These include Khuzam Park Residence, with units up to 379 sq. meters, and Tala Khuzam, offering units as large as 430 sq. meters. Additionally, the Tala Khuzam project features units as small as 219 sq. meters. 

NHC, one of the leading developers of suburban and residential areas in Saudi Arabia, plays an important role in the real estate sector, focusing on improving quality of life and expanding housing supply across the Kingdom. 

These efforts are aligned with Vision 2030, which aims to raise homeownership among Saudi families to 70 percent. 

The company also announced the Eyal Khuzam project which offers luxury units up to 796 sq. meters, while Jawharat Khuzam 1 boasts units up to 929 sq. meters. The Nafah project offers units up to 600 sq. meters. 

Within the Regan compound, which was unveiled at the Cityscape exhibition earlier this month, NHC introduced Rasin Rejan Hills and Ewan Rejan projects, with residential units up to 435 sq. meters. The company said both developments feature high privacy, 24/7 security, and are positioned as ideal living spaces in Khuzam. 

Additionally, NHC launched the Azyan Khuzam project, offering units from 200 to 471 sq. meters, and the Jadaya project, with units up to 538 sq. meters. The Ewan Khuzam project includes villas of up to 594 sq. meters. 

NHC emphasizes its commitment to maintaining quality standards with thoughtful designs and well-integrated infrastructure, including educational, health care, sports, cultural, and commercial amenities, as well as green spaces. 

Over the course of the four-day Cityscape exhibition, NHC signed more than 38 agreements worth over SR5 billion ($1.33 billion) in the supply chain sector. 

These agreements, which involve both local and international companies, cover various areas including logistics services, securing essential materials, and localizing industries within the sector.