In an appeal to international donors, Pakistan has sought monetary assistance for the rehabilitation of over a million people affected by the ongoing military operation in North Waziristan, with the country estimating relief cost at a whopping $2 billion.
“We would like other countries to participate in rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as the country is waging a war for the sake of global peace,” said Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday during a meeting with Pakistan’s High Commissioners designate to Australia and United Kingdom.
Naela Chohan, High Commissioner-designate to Australia and Syed Ibne Abbas, Higher Commissioner-designate to United Kingdom called on the finance minister, according to a handout issued by the Ministry of Finance.
Talking to both envoys, the finance minister said that the rehabilitation of IDPs affected by Pakistan’s struggle against terrorism stands high on the priority list of Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz government.
“Relief and reconstruction efforts will require around $1.5 to $2 billion and we will ensure that this work is performed with highest level of transparency and commitment”, Dar said.
In an attempt to allay international concerns about transparency, Dar said the government would constitute a panel to oversee reconstruction activities.
After the 2010 floods, that caused devastation across the country, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government had requested the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to assess damage with the express aim of addressing the transparency and credibility concerns of the international community.
Subsequently, international lenders had assessed the rehabilitation and reconstruction cost at around $11 billion. But despite making commitments, most donors did not contribute fully to meet the huge target.
Outlining the plan, Dar said the government has already set aside Rs100 million as seed money to facilitate the international donations for relief and rehabilitation.
In July, Pakistan’s military launched an offensive in North Wazirstan aimed at flushing out terrorists and destroying their sanctuaries. So far, the military has said that about 1,000 militants have been killed in the Operation Zerb-e-Azab while over 80 soldiers have embraced martyrdom.
Over one million people have poured out of the tribal agency bordering Afghanistan following the start of the long-awaited military operation to stamp out militants. A large number of the displaced are residing in makeshift camps in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The Finance Ministry’s statement suggests that the government would not be able to bear the rehabilitation cost without international assistance.
Furthermore, torrential rains that have inundated parts of Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir have also put additional burden on the already overstretched exchequer.
According to the Ministry of Finance, Dar directed both diplomats to make efforts to attract investors from their countries of assignment.
He asked Chohan to work towards strengthening ties with Australia by promoting cooperation through trade and investment. The finance minister said Pakistan needed Australian technical assistance in mining and agriculture so that the output could be maximized in these sectors.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2014.
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How about rolling back some of the expenditures on AWACS, JF-17, missiles, frigates, radars etc etc. Recently we heard F-16s have been upgraded. Those things sure don't come cheap.
While begging for money from foreign donors for rehabilitating Pushtun / Pathan IDP’s created by Pakistan’s Punjabi dominated Military in NWA, why is Pakistan contemplating giving away money to foreigners? By giving away money to foreigners I am referring to Pakistan’s braggart reaction to India’s offer of aid, which was to in turn offer aid for flood relief in India! All this braggart behavior also at a time when Pakistan has gone cap in hand to the IMF for a financial bail out ! Those who have missed the above story of Pakistan’s braggadocio can read it on Express Tribune at the below link:
http://tribune.com.pk/story/759806/pakistan-offers-disaster-management-deal-to-india/