Quake victims in need of World support: Stoltenberg
Peace process hinges on Kashmir resolution: Premier
By Our Special Correspondent

ISLAMABAD—Norwegian Prime Minister Stoltenberg Tuesday praised Pakistan’s impressive economic growth after meeting Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz here and said this would encourage companies from Norway to invest more in the country. After 90 minutes of formal talks that included one-on-one meeting, the two Prime Ministers witnessed signing of agreements on cultural cooperation and on family problems arising out migration between the two states. “You (Prime Minister Aziz) have been brave and shown willingness to implement the economic reforms and we are now seeing the results,” he said while referring to 8.4 per cent growth last year achieved by Pakistan. Prime Minister Stoltenberg said the strong economic growth encouraged Norwegian telecom giant Telenor to invest in Pakistan which could not have been possible without these reforms. Prime Minister Aziz told the Norwegian side about the wide-ranging reform process in almost every sector and the steps to ensure good governance and ensure transparency. On the regional issues, he reiterated Pakistan’s strong desire for peace in the region and have good relations with all its neighbours.
He informed the Norwegian Prime Minister about the ongoing composite dialogue process with India to resolve all outstanding disputes between the two countries. Prime Minister Aziz emphasised the centrality of resolving the long-standing Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people for ensuring lasting peace in the region. Later talking to reporters with Prime Minister Aziz, Stoltenberg said Norway fully supports Pakistan-India dialogue. He noted progress in the peace process while referring to Kashmir bus service and opening of crossing points on the Line of Control (LoC) in the wake of the earthquake. “We think that it (progress) is very important... it is much better that we have dialogue and we have progress,” he added. He said Norway was trying to support the dialogue and promote the peace process between Pakistan and India. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz expressed satisfaction over the formal talks that covered a host of bilateral and regional issues. He thanked the King and Queen and the government of Norway for supporting Pakistan in the difficult time arising out of the October 8 earthquake. Norway on Tuesday announced to extend its financial assistance to 78 million dollars for the earthquake victims, after Prime Minister Stoltenberg visited the devastated areas in NWFP.
The Norwegian Prime Minister appreciated the response of the Pakistan government in meeting the challenges of the devastation. He particuarly praised the Pakistan army for their tremendous job in helping the quake-hit people, besides lauding the efforts of the international community. The Norwegian Prime Minister appealed to the world community to mobilize more resources to help the families devastated by the tragedy. “I appeal to the world to join Norway in increasing support before winter creates more problems in the quake-affected areas,” he added. Responding to a question, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Pakistan has built a system over the years that allows for transparency in the disbursement and use of aid. He said Pakistan has welcomed the 6.2 billion dollars pledged by the international community. He said with the help of the United Nations Pakistan was fast completing a website that would have all information about the assistance and its use. Moreover, he said, there was also an special oversight committee of eminent persons, not from the government, to see the inflow and outflow of donations in President’s Relief Funds, whose details are being published on daily basis. There was also an external auditing firm to ensure the transparency level in use of these funds, he added. To another question, Prime Minister Aziz said under the protocol signed between the two countries, a Norwegian-Pakistani Advisory Board will be established on matters relating to marriage, family and children, arising out of migration between the two countries.