Pakistan greatly values its partnership with ADB: PM
By Ali Imran

ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Friday said Pakistan greatly values the support by Asian Development Bank (ADB) and for the development work it carried out for the people’s uplift.
Talking to the visiting delegation of Asian Development Bank (ADB) headed by Juan Miranda, DG CWRD at PM House, the Prime Minster appreciated the active support of ADB for Pakistan in the past and hoped for the cooperation to continue.
Gilani said ADB should assist in building new dams, improvement in economy and food production. The Prime Minister mentioned the areas needing speedy implementation including construction of farm to market road network, development of urban and rural areas, provisions of equitable economic opportunities as well as improving health and education facilities.
The Prime Minister said the government was determined to undertake policies which could help reduce poverty, increase per capita income, generate more jobs and improve the living standard of people.
He said though the government inherited problems like energy and food shortage, yet it was determined to overcome these challenges through well-thought strategy.
The Prime Minister said the government would soon announce new energy policy to arrest its shortage and asked ADB to support in this regard. He said the new democratic government would ensure transparency and good governance while launching new projects.
He said the government would simultaneously focus on the development of agriculture and manufacturing sectors which in turn would generate economic activities and increase job opportunities. The Prime Minister appreciated the plan of ADB regarding improvement of urban services like waste and water management.
He also mentioned that in his native city Multan, which resembles Damascus, needed to be secured from the sewerage water which was affecting the heritage of one of the oldest civilization. Miranda assured ADB’s full support to the newly elected democratic government and briefed the Prime Minister on development activities being undertaken by the bank along with improvements and priorities suggested by the Mission.
He also assured that the agreed program would also be delivered well in time during the course of current financial year.