UNDP administrator discuss Afghanistan's reconstruction with
Musharraf
ISLAMABAD, Nov 29 (APP): UNDP Administrator Mark Malloch
Brown called on President Pervez Musharraf Thursday afternoon to
discuss international efforts for rehabilitations and
reconstruction of Afghanistan.
The UN Secretary General has assigned the UNDP Administrator
the task of coordinating the international effort for economic
recovery of Afghanistan and he would be liaising with the World
Bank, Asian Development Bank and other donors organizations for
this purpose.
Mr. Mark Malloch Brown reaffirmed the resolve to the donor
countries to effectively engage in Afghanistan for rehabilitation
effort.
He informed the President about preparations being
undertaken which would lead to the donor conference scheduled
to be held in January in Tokyo.
He stated that success of the Bonn process in shaping a
board based transitional government was vital for initiating
international effort for rehabilitation and reconstruction of
Afghanistan.
The President agreed with this point of view and expressed
the hope that the preparations would be completed so that the
effort could be launched immediately following a political
agreement among the Afghan parties.
"International Assistance and economic recovery of
Afghanistan would help stabilize the political situation and
consolidate peace in Afghanistan," President Musharraf said.
The President emphasized the urgent need for rehabilitation
of agriculture and infra structure in Afghanistan and relying
mainly on the Afghan human resources for the effort.
"It was also necessary to create conditions for the return
of Afghan refugees. He assured the UNDP Administrator all
cooperation and assistance by Pakistan in the rehabilitation and
reconstruction of Afghanistan," he said.
The President expressed appreciation for UNDP assistance to
Pakistan especially its programmes in the social sector.
He informed the UNDP Administrator about Government's
priority for economic revival, political and institutional
reconstruction, poverty alleviation and good governance and
the emphasis placed by the Government on education and health.
The UNDP Administrator stated that all leaders visiting
Pakistan have been impressed and praised the forward looking
policies of the Government and that international support and
understanding for Pakistan had been greatly enhanced.
The UNDP Administrator who had arrived in Islamabad earlier
in the morning also met the Foreign Minister and the Federal
Finance
Minister.