ISLAMABAD: Minister for Finance Muhammad Ishaq Dar said the government had envisaged setting up a Joint Trust Fund in collaboration with international donors for the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and flood affectees.
He said the government was deeply concerned about the plight of a large number of flood victims and IDPs. He was talking to British High Commissioner Phillip Barton and Department for International Development (DFID) Pakistan Head Richard Montgomery who called on him here.
Dar said complete transparency would be ensured in utilization of funds. Once the flood waters receded and the operation in North Waziristan was over, it would be easy to carry out damage need assessment, he added.
The minister also welcomed a proposal by the Head of DFID for utilizing the Trust Fund already functional in Balochistan, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with replenishment from donors and the government instead of floating a new trust fund altogether.
He also appreciated resolve of the British High Commissioner and the DFID for support in the rehabilitation work for IDPs and flood affected people. The idea behind floating the Trust Fund really was to generate ample funds for rehabilitation activities and there was no harm in utilizing the already operational mechanism for the purpose, he added.
Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Pakistan, Richard G Olson called on Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar here.
They had an in depth exchange of views on various facets of Pak-US ties on the occasion, said a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance. The US Ambassador said that Joint Economic Working Group meeting would be convened on October 9, on the eve of annual International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings in Washington.
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