Pakistan hits back on allegations of corruption
Some countries do not want to pledge money for reconstruction and they are using the corruption pretext.
ISLAMABAD:
Evidently irritated over the world’s lukewarm response to the floods, Pakistan has hit back at international donors saying that corruption allegations were used as pretext to shy away from helping the country in its hour of need.
Just a few days ahead of Pakistan Development Forum (PDF) – designed to present policy options to acquire aid for the flood-related reconstruction, Finance Minister Dr Hafeez Shaikh criticised that some countries did not want to help out and were using “corruption as the pretext.”
He was speaking at the curtain raiser ceremony for the forum, which is being organised after three years to clear the “misperception of donors” and brief them on policy options.
“Some countries do not want to pledge money for reconstruction and they are using the corruption pretext,” asserted Shaikh. He said that if donors have transparency concern, they could give loans for the Families Assistance Programme which is being carried out through the Watan Cards – a method endorsed by the donors themselves.
Responding to a question, the minister said that the country will not sell any strategy to the donors in order to clear their misperceptions about corruption and bad governance. “The floods are a big challenge and if in the process of reconstruction there are few lapses, it should be taken in the context of larger work being carried out.”
At the conference, Pakistan will share its short and medium-term plan on how to overcome economic challenges. In the short run, the government will focus on macroeconomic framework, resources mobilisation, ensuring austerity and delivering on international commitments like implementing the reformed general sales tax and power sector reforms, according to the minister.
Provinces will also brief the donor community about their vision and strategies in the post-flood scenario and the four chief ministers are expected to participate.
The US Coordinator for Civilian Assistance to Pakistan, Ambassador Robin Raphael recently said that donors would raise questions about the transparent use of their money at the upcoming forum. She added that answers to these questions may help address concerns raised by them.
Andrew Mitchell, the UK’s minister for international development, Richard Holbrooke, the US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Xiaoyu, the ADB Vice President, Isabel Guerrero, Vice President of the World Bank are among many other delegates who will participate in the two-day conference.
“It is an occasion for different stakeholders to come together and discuss the development agenda,” explained Shaikh. He said the medium term goal is to get the country back on the path of sustainable growth in order to create more jobs.
The finance minister made clear that Pakistan would not seek debt rescheduling, as this would tarnish the country’s image and have a lasting impact on credit-worthiness.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 12th, 2010.
Evidently irritated over the world’s lukewarm response to the floods, Pakistan has hit back at international donors saying that corruption allegations were used as pretext to shy away from helping the country in its hour of need.
Just a few days ahead of Pakistan Development Forum (PDF) – designed to present policy options to acquire aid for the flood-related reconstruction, Finance Minister Dr Hafeez Shaikh criticised that some countries did not want to help out and were using “corruption as the pretext.”
He was speaking at the curtain raiser ceremony for the forum, which is being organised after three years to clear the “misperception of donors” and brief them on policy options.
“Some countries do not want to pledge money for reconstruction and they are using the corruption pretext,” asserted Shaikh. He said that if donors have transparency concern, they could give loans for the Families Assistance Programme which is being carried out through the Watan Cards – a method endorsed by the donors themselves.
Responding to a question, the minister said that the country will not sell any strategy to the donors in order to clear their misperceptions about corruption and bad governance. “The floods are a big challenge and if in the process of reconstruction there are few lapses, it should be taken in the context of larger work being carried out.”
At the conference, Pakistan will share its short and medium-term plan on how to overcome economic challenges. In the short run, the government will focus on macroeconomic framework, resources mobilisation, ensuring austerity and delivering on international commitments like implementing the reformed general sales tax and power sector reforms, according to the minister.
Provinces will also brief the donor community about their vision and strategies in the post-flood scenario and the four chief ministers are expected to participate.
The US Coordinator for Civilian Assistance to Pakistan, Ambassador Robin Raphael recently said that donors would raise questions about the transparent use of their money at the upcoming forum. She added that answers to these questions may help address concerns raised by them.
Andrew Mitchell, the UK’s minister for international development, Richard Holbrooke, the US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Xiaoyu, the ADB Vice President, Isabel Guerrero, Vice President of the World Bank are among many other delegates who will participate in the two-day conference.
“It is an occasion for different stakeholders to come together and discuss the development agenda,” explained Shaikh. He said the medium term goal is to get the country back on the path of sustainable growth in order to create more jobs.
The finance minister made clear that Pakistan would not seek debt rescheduling, as this would tarnish the country’s image and have a lasting impact on credit-worthiness.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 12th, 2010.