Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Thursday called upon the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to finance Pakistan’s mega project of Basha Dam construction, which would solve the country’s chronic energy crisis and also provide sufficient water to the agriculture sector that holds the key to food security of the country.
He expressed these views during a meeting with ADB Vice President Xiaoyu Zhao and Director General ADB Juan Marinda, who called on him here at the PM house. On the occasion, Gilani emphasised ADB’s support for construction of Motorway from Karachi to Fasilabad. The connectivity of Gwadar with Ratodaro will link Karachi, Gwadar and Fasilabad, which is the hub of textile industry of Pakistan. He said priority areas of Pakistan were energy, water, roads and the overall development of infrastructure, an engine of growth in any economy.
Lauding the role of the ADB in undertaking projects in various sectors in Pakistan, he said that Pakistan expected that this partnership would continue, especially since it is critical for improving the quality of life of its people. He said that his government had constituted a high powered committee led by the finance minister to seek solutions to unscheduled load shedding in the country. The prime minister underlined the government’s commitment to financial discipline, reducing the fiscal deficit, mobilising domestic resources and pursuing high growth strategy. On this occasion, the vice president of ADB said that he had a very useful meeting with government officials and addressed many issues. He assured the prime minister that ADP was committed to working with the government of Pakistan.
The prime minister sought ADB’s support for construction of roads through Central Asia Regional Cooperation (CAREC) Funds for integrating Pakistan with Central Asia. It may be mentioned here that Pakistan has become 10th member of this organisation. The connectivity as planned under its umbrella will revolutionise trade among these countries by providing a trade corridor including enhancement of people-to-people contact.
In the meeting the Finance Minister, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Minister for Water and Power, Syed Nveed Qamar, and senior officials of relevant ministries were also present in the meeting.
