Federal Minister for Finance, Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh on Saturday called on Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and apprised him about the communication made with the US Deputy Secretary of State, Thomas R Nides.
Hafeez informed the prime minister that the US Deputy Secretary of State had assured him of continuation of civilian assistance; willingness to undertake major projects in energy sector including the Diamer Basha Dam; and preparation of a programme to reflect priorities set by the government of Pakistan. The minister also briefed the prime minister about the discussion on Coalition Support Fund (CSF) which is the reimbursement of expenditures already incurred by the government of Pakistan in war on terror.
The prime minister expressed satisfaction over the future plans explained by the minister of finance for the development projects and other macroeconomic variables. The prime minister asked Hafeez to accelerate work on the development agenda of the government in view of the enhanced availability of funds in the current fiscal year. Hafeez Sheikh also informed the prime minister about the current fiscal developments after the successful passage of the budget 2011-12.-PR