Dar, Olson discuss schedule of Pak-US working groups’ meetings

United States (US) Ambassador Richard G Olson met Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on Saturday morning. He was accompanied by Ms Daniela Ballard, US Embassy’s Economic Counsellor.

The US envoy had exchange of views with Minister Dar on the schedule of meetings of Pak-US working group on economy and finance as well as TIFA (Trade & Investment Framework Agreement) Council. Both sides viewed that these events had great significance in furthering Pak-US economic cooperation. They agreed that schedule of both the meetings would be decided with mutual consultations. Pakistan will host the working group meeting while TIFA would likely be held in the USA.

There was also discussion on IMF/World Bank annual meetings scheduled to be held in Lima, Peru, in October 2015.

The minister briefed the US ambassador about the budget proceedings in the parliament and said the government had accommodated maximum number of suggestions/recommendations of the parliamentarians and other stake holders to finalise the budget 2015-16. The government, he said, believed in passing the budget with consensus of all political parties.

Secretary Finance Dr Waqar Masood, Additional Secretary Tariq Mahmood Pasha and Joint Secretary Awais Manzoor were also present in the meeting.