Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, the US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, on Monday announced that $500 million assistance from Kerry Lugar package would be diverted (reallocated) to recovery and reconstruction after the devastating floods.

Addressing the plenary session of the Pakistan Development Forum, US Special Envoy said the allocation would form part of the annual $1.5 billion assistance, and did not include the cost of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft used for the rescue of 30,000 stranded people and distribution of 20 million pounds of relief goods.

Richard Holbrooke said present US administration was supportive of Pakistan, however added, it would also have to show to the American taxpayers that Pakistan's wealthy also be taxed.

The Minister of State for Economic Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar had categorically stated last month that the government would not accept aid diversion from pre-flood pledges for recovery and reconstruction efforts but would only accept new assistance.

This was stated in the context of multilaterals, however, according to bilateral there is a need for clarity on this issue.

To date there has been no further statement by the government in this regard.

The Japan has also taken lead when Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Ms Makiko Kikuta announced to provide additional $500 million worth of assistance to government.

In specific, Japan will provide the Pakistan with approx.

$233 million of additional soft loans, for rehabilitation of roads and bridges in rural areas of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa as well as for importing such goods as fertilisers and seeds required for reconstruction following the flood.

Furthermore, Japan will provide approx.

267 million US dollars worth of assistance for the works of international organisations, subject to Diet approval.

Saudi Government extending their economic co-operation for rebuilding flood hit areas also committed to provide $300 million worth of concessionary loans and other $100 million to enhance export of Pakistani products into Saudi market.

The representative of Italy announced to provide 53 million euro as part of Tokyo pledges.

In his concluding session, however, Minister for Finance and Revenue Dr Hafeez Sheikh said the PDF was not a pledges session like Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP).

"The objective of this session was to inculcate awareness among the international community about Pakistan's strategy for post-flood reconstruction," he said.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shah Mehmood Qureshi appreciated the European Countries' contribution for providing greater market access to Pakistani products into EU market.

He said EU had taken the lead to help Pakistan in achieving millennium development goals, reduction in poverty and creating job opportunities for victims of flood.

APP adds: Japan on Monday announced 500 million dollars for Pakistan as an additional assistance for rehabilitation in flood affected areas.

Makiko Kikuta, Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs speaking at the Pakistan Development Forum here, said Japan would provide the government of Pakistan 233 million US dollars worth of additional soft loans for rehabilitation of roads and bridges in rural areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

She said the amount would also be used for importing goods including fertilisers and seeds required for reconstruction after flood.

"Furthermore, we will provide approximately 267 million dollars worth of assistance for the works of international organisations, subject to Diet approval," she said.

Makiko said as a total, Japan's assistance related to flood would now amounted to 568 million dollars.

She said recognising Pakistan's importance in regional stability, Japan actively supported the efforts of Pakistan government in addressing terrorism and on economic reforms.

She mentioned that Japan sent six helicopters with about 520 personnel from the Self-Defence Forces and two batches of medical teams, both as Japan Disaster Relief Teams.

"We also provided assistance aimed at early recovery including emergency humanitarian assistance and repairs of rural roads and bridges in Sindh province," she said.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2010

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