Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani urged the government of Japan to expedite its contribution of $ one billion pledged at donor conference in Tokyo earlier this year to help Pakistan in implementation of its Malakand strategy of reconstruction and rehabilitation.
The Prime Minister was talking to Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, who called on him at the Prime Minister House here Sunday evening. While thanking the Japanese government for hosting FoDP meeting and Donor Conference, the prime minister hoped that the Japanese pledge under the FoDP assistance in the Donor Conference was in addition to the regular official development assistance for Pakistan.
The Prime Minister hoped that the Japanese Foreign Minister's exploratory visit to Pakistan and Afghanistan would facilitate a decision for financial assistance for Operation Endeavouring Freedom - Maritime Interdiction Operation (OEFMIO) in the Indian Ocean and Pakistan Navy by way of refuelling and water supply facilities.
While apprising the Japanese Foreign Minister about the successful law enforcement operation against extremists and terrorists in Malakand and Swat region, he underscored the urgent need for capacity building of Pakistan LEAs and urged the Japanese government to play its due role in strengthening Pakistan's hand in the fight against terrorism. The Prime Minister reaffirmed his government's offer for setting an economic free zone near Karachi for the Japanese investors and hoped that Japanese corporate sector would be encouraged to avail that offer.
He expressed satisfaction over three rounds of meetings of Pakistan-Japan joint study group and hoped that its report due by the end of this year will facilitate commencement of negotiations for an economic partnership agreement leading to FTA between the two countries.
The Japanese Foreign Minister praised Pakistan's efforts in the war against terror and conveyed the condolences of his government to the families of martyrs in the recent terror incidents in Islamabad, Peshawar and Rawalpindi.
He agreed with the Prime Minister on the imperative of immediate assistance to Pakistan by the donor countries and stated that his government would honour its pledge of economic assistance by arranging its early disbursement.
He also assured the Prime Minister of his government's co-operation for making headway on the free trade agreement between the two countries and helping Pakistan by boosting the level of foreign investment to generate employment.
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