Prime Minister says gains in war on terror cant be consolidated unless people of cleared areas see socio-economic development

Islamabad: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani reaffirming Pakistans strong commitment to defeat terrorism, says military gains in that war cannot be consolidated unless people of cleared areas see socio-economic development and higher job opportunities on the ground. Talking to visiting US Congressional delegation led by Darrell E.

Issa on Monday, he said it was imperative on part of US to quicken pace of disbursement of its economic assistance for development projects not only in affected areas but across the country to help Pakistan sustain momentum and retain support of masses in fighting this menace. He urged new US Congress for fast-tracking passage of ROZs (Reconstruction Opportunity Zones) and Enterprise Fund legislation for creation of higher employment and bringing down economic hardships of people of Pakistan. We are going through evolutionary process of rebuilding democratic institutions with restoration of 1973 Constitution; introducing economic reforms; restructuring public sector enterprises; transparency and accountability in governments functions. Gilani said he welcomed advice of International Financial Institutions for Third Party Verification & Beneficiary Assessment and public disclosure of program performance to provide higher comfort level to foreign donors as well as to public. He spoke of efforts to build national consensus to implement economic reforms and deliberations governments team was having with all political stakeholders. He urged world community and donors to recognize ground realities in Pakistan.

He lauded US support for flood relief, rehabilitation, financing Pakistans development projects under Kerry Lugar Bill, security and defence related assistance for success in war against terror and hoped US Congress will pro-actively help Pakistan in achieving that common objective. He said being a partner of US in pursuing regional stability, Pakistan rightfully ! expects US would not discriminate among South Asian states and Islamabad would be treated at par with its neighbor particularly in nuclear energy cooperation. He said US should stop predator attacks and share drone technology and intelligence with Pakistan to enable it take action against terrorists themselves. Drone attacks are counterproductive as they only served to strengthen hands of terrorists. US Congressional delegation applauded sacrifices of people and armed forces of Pakistan in war against terrorism, extremism. Pakistan- US partnership is critical at this juncture through enhanced civilian, military cooperation for defeating terrorism. They assured US Congress despite its agenda of budgetary cut will stand by Pakistan and remain stead-fast in its support to help overcome its economic difficulties. They promised to clear backlog of assistance for Pakistans development projects through USAID. Congressmen Darrell E. Issa, Todd R. Platts, Jason Chaffetz, Stephen F. Lynch, Brain M. Higgins, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Ch. Ahmad Mukhtar, Finance Minister Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Secretaries Foreign Affairs, Defence, Interior, senior officials attended meeting.