US should quicken pace of economic assistance to help Pakistan in war against terror: PM
ISLAMABAD, Jan 31 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani while reaffirming Pakistan’s strong commitment to defeat the forces of terrorism has stressed that military gains in that war cannot be consolidated unless the people of the cleared areas see socio-economic development and higher job opportunities on the ground. He was talking to a US Congressional delegation which led by Darrell E. Issa called on him here at the Prime Minister House on Monday afternoon.
It was imperative on part of the US to quicken the pace of disbursement of its economic assistance for the development projects not only in the affected areas but throughout the country to help his government sustain the momentum and retain the support of the masses in fighting this menace, he added.
The Prime Minister particularly called on the new US Congress for fast-tracking the passage of ROZs (Reconstruction Opportunity Zones) and Enterprise Fund legislation for creation of higher employment and bringing down the economic hardships of the people of Pakistan.
The Prime Minister stated that Pakistan was going through an evolutionary process of rebuilding the democratic institutions through restoration of 1973 Constitution; introduction of economic reforms; restructuring of its public sector enterprises; and introduction of transparency and accountability in government’s functions.
He highlighted the fact that strong mechanisms were already in place in Pakistan in the shape of institutions of Auditor General and National Accountability Bureau.
Besides the Chairmanship of Public Accounts Committee had been assigned by his Government to the Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly, he added.
The Prime Minister said he had welcomed the advice of International Financial Institutions for Third Party Verification and Beneficiary Assessment as well as for public disclosure of programme performance in order to provide higher comfort level to the international donors as well as to the public at large.
He apprised the US Congressional delegation of his efforts to build national consensus for introducing and implementing economic reforms and of the ongoing deliberations that the government’s team was undertaking with all the political stakeholders of the country.
The Prime Minister said that being a head of the democratic government, he must take into account the hardships and grievances of the masses who had come under severe strain with the reduction and removal of subsidies.
He urged the international community and the donors in particular to recognize these ground realities in Pakistan.
The Prime Minister appreciated the US support for the flood relief and rehabilitation; financing of Pakistan’s development projects under Kerry Lugar Bill and security and defence related assistance for Pakistan.
He termed the US assistance as pivotal for the success in war against terror and hoped that the new US Congress would pro-actively help Pakistan in achieving that common objective.
While answering a question of one of the visiting Congressman, the Prime Minister said that being a partner of the US in pursuing the regional stability, Pakistan rightfully expects that the US would not discriminate among the South Asian countries and Pakistan would be treated at par with its neighbour particularly in the field of nuclear energy cooperation.
Besides, the US should stop the predator attacks and share the Drone technology and intelligence with Pakistan, thus enabling Pakistan’s security forces to take action against the terrorists themselves, he added.
The Prime Minister described the Drone attacks as counterproductive as they only served to strengthen the hands and united the terrorists rather than reducing that threat.
The Prime Minister also called for enhanced cooperation and joint strategy between Pakistan, Afghanistan and US in the war against terrorism and for restoring the peace and stability in Afghanistan.
The US Congressional delegation recognized and applauded the sacrifices of people and Armed Forces of Pakistan in the war against terrorism and extremism.
The members of Congressional Delegation held the view that Pakistan - US partnership was critical at this juncture through enhanced civilian and military cooperation for defeating the menace of terror.
They congratulated the Government of Pakistan for remarkably and successfully coping with onerous flood relief work and lauded people of Pakistan for their resilience in overcoming the unparalleled devastation caused by the unprecedented floods in the country, last year.
They assured the Prime Minister that the US Congress despite its agenda of budgetary cut will stand by Pakistan and remain stead-fast in its support to help it overcome its economic difficulties. They also promised to clear the backlog of assistance for Pakistan’s development projects through the USAID.
Besides Congressmen Darrell E. Issa, Todd R. Platts, Jason Chaffetz, Stephen F. Lynch and Brain M. Higgins, Minister for Foreign Affairs Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister for Defence Ch. Ahmad Mukhtar, Minister for Finance Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Senator Syeda Sughra Imam, Secretaries Foreign Affairs, Defence, Interior and senior officials were also present in the meeting.