ISLAMABAD
Director General Central West Asia Department ADB, Sean O’ Sullivan called on the Federal Minister for Finance Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar.
Minister Dar welcomed Sullivan on his first visit to Pakistan as DG Central West Asia Department and said that ADB had long been a valuable development partner of Pakistan and ADB’s positive role in the development programs is duly acknowledged. The Minister also thanked the ADB representative for their support on highly important Jamshoro Coal Power Project, Flood Emergency Project and other projects of infrastructure and energy development in Sindh and Balochistan.
Sullivan said that he had a long relationship with Pakistan which had been very pleasant. He stated that the progress made by Pakistan in attaining macro-economic stability was highly commendable. He further said that IMF and other International Institutions have also endorsed the progress made and macro-economic stability achieved by Pakistan in a short span of time. With the efforts of the current government, the international community is dealing more confidently with Pakistan now and we also support this new development, said DG ADB.
He stated that the energy sector reforms were a tough challenge, however the Government of Pakistan’ Reform Program was very encouraging and the multilateral partners fully supported it. He further stated that the efforts made by the Government to solve complicated issues were commendable and the leadership provided by Minister for Finance for various reform initiatives was truly remarkable.
Sullivan also appreciated the Government’s efforts for promoting regional connectivity as he referred to China Pakistan Economic Corridor and stated that CPEC and CAREC, which is funded by ADB, will prove a mile stone in regional development and connectivity. President ADB, Takehiko Nakao also appreciated the initiation of CPEC as a step towards the development of the whole region.
He also referred to the Border Crossing Points Improvement Project and appreciated Finance Minister’s leadership in ensuring its progress as this is vitally important for revamping the existing trade and infrastructure system in the region.
Minister Dar thanked ADB for providing vital support to Pakistan particularly for efficiency gain from road traffic operations along the National Trade Corridor. He assured Pakistan’s commitment for continuous engagement with development partners for mobilising support in order to improve linkages with the neighbours and developing inter-provincial linkages to improve sub-regional connectivity.