ISLAMABAD: Completing his introductory visit to Islamabad yesterday, the new Vice President of World Bank South Asia Region, Philippe Le Houerou, said the WB group is ready to assist the government in implementation of reform through policy and performance-based support. “The complex challenges facing the country call for not only implementation of multi-sectoral fundamental reforms and investments but also their careful sequencing,” he said before leaving for New Delhi. Le Houerou discussed with officials the government’s development priorities and the $1.5bn support from the International Development Association for Pakistan for the next 10 months, in the areas of policy reforms and investment, particularly in energy, revenue mobilisation, governance and social sectors. He also agreed with the government’s economic plan.
20 rebels killed in Afghanistan
Kabul: Afghan national security forces killed 20 Taliban militants in separate operations across the country in the past 24 hours, the Interior Ministry said yesterday. “Afghan National Security Forces conducted operations in Badghis, Helmand, Herat, Laghman, Kandahar, Kunduz and Zabul provinces and also wounded five rebels and arrested nine,” the ministry said. The forces also seized arms and defused roadside bombs.
Global forum on stability
Islamabad: A two-day international conference on Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) role in regional stability will be hosted by Islamabad Policy Research Institute in collaboration with Germany’s Hanns Seidel Foundation from Wednesday. According to a statement, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, SCO Deputy Secretary General Mirzosharif Jalalov, scholars from Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Germany, Belgium, and other dignitaries will attend. The conference is important for Pakistan’s bid for full SCO membership. The recent visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to China has improved trade and economic ties and the development of Gwadar Port can become an energy and trade corridor for SCO countries, the statement said.
Agencies
