PM urges US to speed up funds’ release pledged under Kerry-Lugar package
ISLAMABAD, Jan 6 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Thursday urged the United States to speed up the release of funds of high visibility projects particularly in energy sector from the appropriated amount pledged by the US Congress under Kerry-Lugar Assistance package. He regretted the fact that important donor countries have not fully fulfilled their pledges made bilaterally or at the Tokyo Donors Conference to help Pakistan overcome the severe negative impact on its economy in the wake of the world economic recession, war on terror, devastating unprecedented floods and the raising oil and gas prices.
The Prime Minister was talking to Frank J. Ruggiero, US Acting Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan who called on him here at his Parliament House Chamber on Thursday evening.
Cameron Munter, US Ambassador to Pakistan was also present in the meeting.
While reiterating his government’s resolve to persist in its war on terror, the Prime Minister underlined that the assistance being offered by the Pakistani friends and allies as well as by the International Financial Institutions should have taken into account the objective conditions and Pakistan’s sacrifices to ensure that ordinary people of Pakistan do not face further hardships.
He hoped that the USAID will fast-track its assistance for Pakistan’s development projects and release the funds meant for the projects agreed in the working groups in the last session of strategic dialogue.
He also called upon the US government to expedite the reimbursement of Coalition Support Fund payments and work with the new Congress for the ROZs legislation and establishment of Enterprise Fund to help Pakistan overcome its present difficulties.
The Prime Minister welcomed the signing of agreements earlier in the day by the two countries on the US contributions of $ 190 million for damage compensation fund which he hoped will contribute towards his government’s efforts to redress the hardship of the flood affected people in the country.
The Prime Minister apprised Frank J. Ruggiero of his discussion with Afghan leadership during his visit to Kabul last month and stated that he would be having an indepth discussion with Professor Barhanuddin Rabbani, Chairman High Council of Peace in Afghanistan tomorrow.
He stressed that Pakistan supports political dialogue and reconciliation process in Afghanistan but believed that it should be Afghan led and Afghan owned.
Frank J. Ruggiero conveyed heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of late Governor Punjab, Salman Taseer and informed the Prime Minister that he has been sent to Pakistan by the Secretary of State to convey US government’s firm commitment to continue with its strategic partnership with Pakistan.
He added that President Obama fully recognizes the sacrifices of the Pakistan armed forces and civilian population in the war against terror and was cognizant of the economic difficulties that Pakistan had to face in the present circumstances.
He said that he would be signing the assistance contract for construction of two dams in Pakistan tomorrow. He said that US government will expedite the disbursement of its assistance to Pakistan under the Kerry-Lugar legislation through USAID and the payments under the CSF.
Dr. Abul Hafeez Sheikh, Minister for Finance, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister of State for Finance, Senator Syeda Sughra Imam and senior government official were present in the meeting.