ISLAMABAD: Chairman of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee Senator John Kerry alongwith a delegation called on Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh here on Wednesday and discussed matters of mutual interests with special reference to economic relations between the two countries.
Hafeez demanded that the US must make the timely payment for the war expenses possible under Coalition Support Fund Agreement.
The finance minister also complained about the delays in getting aid through Kerry-Lugar Bill, He reminded Senator Kerry that Pakistan was to get one billion and fifty million dollars a year, but the key ally in war against terrorism had received only three hundred million dollars up till now.
Hafeez informed the Senator that the government still needs one hundred and thirty billion rupees for the flood rehabilitation.
The Finance Minister briefed Senator Kerry about the economic reforms initiated by the government for the stability of national economy, economic growth and socio-economic development of the country.
He apprised the Senator of the rehabilitation process initiated by the government for the flood victims.
The Minister also apprised him of the economic reforms in the areas of expenditure management, resource mobilization, private sector development, increases in exports and remittances.
Hafeez said that this year exports from Pakistan would cross 22 billion dollars, remittances over ten billion dollars and foreign exchange reserves 17 billion dollars.
The Minister also gave an account of the government's parleys with all the political parties, including the major opposition party, for legislation on economic reforms and hoped that these dialogues would give positive results.
The visiting Senator appreciated the number of tough decisions taken by the Finance Ministry for the improvement of the economic situation of Pakistan.
He hoped that these measures would support Pakistan in its reconstruction process and enhance its development capacity.
The Senator further stated that the economic measures were giving a positive signal in the international market and hoped that these measures would bring economic benefits for its citizens. – Agencies
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