ISLAMABAD Western countries are likely to push for the establishment of a World Bank-operated Development Trust Fund, at the Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP) meeting in Tokyo on Friday.
Some countries with apprehensions about effective utilisation of aid being planned for Pakistan have suggested the establishment of such a fund.
But some key members of the FoDP, including Saudi Arabia, are opposed to the idea and insist on bilateral assistance, instead of multilateral package.
It is learnt that Saudi Arabia will be announcing a package at the meeting, but details will be decided by Saudi Arabia with Pakistan at bilateral level.
The Pakistan government, sources said, had in principle agreed to the fund, which would be largely Fata and Balochistan specific.
Pakistan will propose at the FoDP meeting 61 projects of $30 billion in five agreed areas of stability, development, Afghan border areas, energy and institution building. These include dams and roads and projects aimed at improving security to be implemented over 10 years.
The FoDP meeting will be chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari.
The group, which includes Australia, Britain, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States, United Nations and European Union, was set up in New York last September on the sidelines of the UN summit with the support of the United States which wanted to marshal political and economic support to promote stability in the country. Pakistan is also expecting strong political support from the 'friends' at the meeting.
'We have certain expectations from the Friends of Democratic Pakistan. Most importantly these expectations are not cents and dollars, rather the political support that Pakistan expects from them,' Foreign Minister Qureshi said last week in Islamabad.
Separately, donors' conference, co-chaired by Japan and the World Bank, will bring together more than 40 countries and international organisations.
The World Bank is anticipating pledges of $4-$6 billion for Pakistan at the conference. This assistance would be limited to budgetary support and dealing with balance of payment crisis.
The conference will also discuss immediate financial support to enable Pakistan to overcome its economic challenges, including growing poverty level.
