ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday sought United Nations’ assistance in developing flood forecasting and early weather warning system for Pakistan before the monsoon season.

Talking to Rauf Engin Soysal, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General for Assistance to Pakistan here at the PM House, Gilani appreciated UN’s support and the Special Envoy’s dedicated work for the flood affected people of the country.

The prime minister lauded the personal commitment of Ambassador Soysal, who extensively visited the flood affected areas to oversee work of all UN agencies during the relief and recovery phases after the unprecedented floods.

He commended Ambassador Soysal for his proactive efforts with Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP) partners for implementation of energy sector plan of action, which had been approved by the third FoDP Ministerial meeting in Brussels last year.

The prime minister called for building on the progress achieved in various areas of FoDP process and fast tracking of implementation of Malakand Development Strategy.

Gilani hoped that as Pakistan moves from early recovery to medium and long term construction and development phase, the UN will undertake an impact assessment of the international assistance routed through the UN agencies.

Ambassador Soysal apprised the prime minister that his office was working with the UNDP representative in Pakistan in the flood affected areas to help resume economic activities.

Muhammad Haroon Shaukat, Special Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other senior officials were also present in the meeting.