ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has appreciated the role of the Asian Development Bank in undertaking the projects in various sectors in Pakistan and expected that this partnership would continue, so critical for improving the quality of life of the people of Pakistan. The prime minister said this when Vice President Xiaoyu Zhao and Director General ADB Juan Marinda called on him here at the PM's House.
The prime minister said that the priority areas of Pakistan were energy, water, roads and the overall development of infra-structure, which was an engine of growth in any economy. He said that his government had constituted a high powered committee led by the finance minister to seek out the solution of the unscheduled load shedding in the country.
The prime minister underlined the government's commitment to maintain financial discipline, reduce fiscal deficit, mobilise domestic resources and pursue high growth strategy. The prime minister called upon the Asian Development Bank to finance the mega project of Basha Dam, construction of which would solve the country's chronic energy crisis and also provide sufficient water to the agriculture sector that holds key to food security of the country.
He also emphasised ADB's support for construction of Motorway from Karachi to Fasilabad. The connectivity of Gowader with Ratodaro will link Karachi, Gwader and Faisalabad, which is the hub of textile industry of Pakistan. On this occasion, the Vice President of the Asian Development Bank said that he had a very useful meeting with government officials and addressed many issues. He assured the Prime Minister that ADP was committed to work with the government of Pakistan.
The prime minister sought ADB's support for construction of roads through Central Asia Regional Co-operation (CAREC) Funds for integrating Pakistan with Central Asia. It may be mentioned here that Pakistan has become 10th member of this Organisation. The connectivity as planned under its umbrella will revolutionise trade among the countries by providing trade corridor including enhancement of people-to-people contact among the member countries. In the meeting Finance Minister, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Minister for Water and Power, Syed Nveed Qamar and senior officials of the relevant ministries were also present in the meeting.-PR
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