Thursday, April 01, 2010

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday called upon the international donor agencies to support democratic government for strengthening of country’s economy and help in overcoming severe energy and water crisis.

Talking to Vice President World Bank Isabel Guerrero at Aiwan-e-Sadr, the President said the democratic government had taken difficult and unpopular decisions for economic recovery.

The President called upon the World Bank to consider financing energy and water sector projects in Pakistan.

He said that severe energy and water crisis were adversely affecting the economy and urged the Vice President to highlight various economic measures of Pakistan government to the international financial institutions to help solicit greater economic support for Pakistan.

The President said the democratic government inherited weak economy and its resources were drained as a result of ongoing war against militancy.

It is now the moral obligation of international community to step forward and help Pakistan compensate its colossal loss in terms of financial as well as human resources, the President said.

Yusupha B. Crookes, Country Director, Thomas Buckley, Senior Country Officer for Pakistan, Satu Kahkonen, lead Economist, were present during the meeting.

From Pakistan side, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Economic Advisor, Malik Asif Hayat, Secretary to the President, Secretaries Finance and Economic Affair Division were also present.