Rehabilitation of flood-hit areas to be made successful model: PM

Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has emphatically stated that the reconstruction and rehabilitation of flood-affected areas will be made a successful model by ensuring complete transparency in utilization of funds, pledged at the Climate Resilient Pakistan Conference in Geneva.

He was addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Wednesday flanked by the cabinet members of the coalition government.

The Prime Minister said we will not disappoint the nation and each penny will be utilized in a transparent manner for rehabilitation of the flood affected people and reconstruction of damaged homes and other infrastructure including roads and bridges.

Shehbaz Sharif stated the process of third party validation will be pursued for this purpose which will send a strong message to donors and lenders.    

The Prime Minister said no effort will be spared to achieve our reconstruction targets as best as possible, adding that modern technology and methods will be used to ensure a robust and resilient infrastructure.

Describing the pledges of 9.7 billion dollars made by the friendly countries and financial institutions at Geneva Conference as a big achievement, the Prime Minister said this is also manifestation of the confidence and trust of the world community in the people and coalition government of Pakistan.   

He said if the international community would have any doubts or given ears to the propaganda of our opponents, they would not have pledged this huge amount.

Shehbaz Sharif stated that the whole world saw itself the expression of solidarity, brotherhood and unity on the part of Pakistan at Geneva moot.

He said the provinces were taken along which presented their case at the conference.

Shehbaz Sharif was highly appreciative of the support announced by the friendly countries at the moot.

Alluding to one billion dollar pledge made by Saudi Arabia, he said the fraternal country always stood by Pakistan in difficult times.

In his remarks, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Geneva Conference proved to be the success of our foreign policy, dispelling the impression that Pakistan is isolated.

He said we had targeted to raise eight billion dollars from the conference but we surpassed this target, which is a befitting response to the negative propagandists.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said we will also have to manage fifty percent from our own resources for the reconstruction and rehabilitation phase, appealing to the people to come forward for the humanitarian assistance of flood victims who are still braving extreme weather conditions under the open skies.

The Foreign Minister assured the flood affected population that their recovery and rehabilitation is the mission of the government.

Responding to a question, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif dispelled the impression that the federating units were not on board regarding the Geneva conference.

He once again thanked the UN Secretary General for forcefully pleading the case of Pakistan at Geneva conference.

About his upcoming visit to United Arab Emirates, Shehbaz Sharif said he is visiting UAE tomorrow and expressed the confidence that it will help further augment bilateral relations between the two countries.

To a question about security situation, the Prime Minister said maintaining law and order situation is a joint responsibility of federal and provincial governments. He said we are cognizant of our responsibilities and these will be fulfilled with firm commitment.

Speaking on this occasion, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said time frame of three years has been set for the reconstruction phase.

He said both the federal and provincial governments from their development budgets will also contribute funds for this purpose.

As regards economic situation of the country, Ishaq Dar said that a detailed meeting has been held with the IMF.

He said Pakistan faces no threat of default and there is nothing to worry. He said all the external debt liabilities will be made on time.