Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani while reaffirming Pakistan's strong commitment to defeat the forces of terrorism has stressed that military gains in that war cannot be consolidated unless the people of the cleared areas see socio-economic development and higher job opportunities on the ground.
He was talking to a US congressional delegation, which led by Darrell E. Issa, called on him here at the Prime Minister House on Monday afternoon. It was imperative on part of the US to quicken the pace of disbursement of its economic assistance for the development projects not only in the affected areas but throughout the country to help his government sustain the momentum and retain the support of the masses in fighting this menace, he added.
The Prime Minister particularly called on the new US Congress for fast-tracking the passage of ROZs (Reconstruction Opportunity Zones) and Enterprise Fund legislation for creation of higher employment and bringing down the economic hardships of the people of Pakistan. The Prime Minister stated that Pakistan was going through an evolutionary process of rebuilding the democratic institutions through restoration of 1973 Constitution; introduction of economic reforms; restructuring of its public sector enterprises; and introduction of transparency and accountability in government's functions.
He highlighted the fact that strong mechanisms were already in place in Pakistan in the shape of institutions of Auditor General and National Accountability Bureau. Besides the Chairmanship of Public Accounts Committee had been assigned by his Government to the Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly, he added.
The Prime Minister said he had welcomed the advice of International Financial Institutions for Third Party Verification and Beneficiary Assessment as well as for public disclosure of programme performance in order to provide higher comfort level to the international donors as well as to the public at large.
He apprised the US Congressional delegation of his efforts to build national consensus for introducing and implementing economic reforms and of the ongoing deliberations that the government's team was undertaking with all the political stakeholders of the country.
The US Congressional delegation recognised and applauded the sacrifices of people and Armed Forces of Pakistan in the war against terrorism and extremism. The members of Congressional Delegation held the view that Pakistan - US partnership was critical at this juncture through enhanced civilian and military co-operation for defeating the menace of terror.
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