President General Pervez Musharraf conferred on Monday the award of Hilal-e-Pakistan on the World Bank President James D Wolfensohn in recognition of his all-round attainments, outstanding leadership and the Bank's invaluable support to the Pakistan's economic growth, poverty alleviation and good governance. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz was also present at the special investiture ceremony held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
The President and Prime Minister congratulated the distinguished World Bank leader on receiving the coveted award for his meritorious services.
Earlier, the World Bank Chief called on President Pervez Musharraf and discussed the Bank's continued co-operation and support for Pakistan's sustained economic growth. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz was also present. Wolfensohn appreciated the economic strides Pakistan has made in recent years in the wake of reforms and economic and fiscal stability.
President Musharraf thanked him for his institution's contribution towards Pakistan's economic development and poverty alleviation.
The World Bank President has been taking a keen interest in the economic development of Pakistan and had been instrumental in ensuring substantial economic assistance from the World Bank Group to the country.
This assistance helped the country to achieve infrastructure and economic sustainability, and has also been helpful in implementing the far-reaching reforms that were crucial in the macro-economic turnaround of Pakistan.
The government has been appreciative of the personal interests the World Bank President has taken in various reform programmes and poverty alleviation initiatives.
State Bank of Pakistan Governor Dr Ishrat Husain, ministers of State for Finance and Economic Affairs and senior officials also attended the ceremony.