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09/09/2010  
 Headlines: Senate told Seven airports shut in country,     ISB: The Senate was informed Friday that seven airports in different cities have been closed due to suspension of PIA flights.     The PIA suspended the flights due to a daily loss of Rs19 million during last year.     Suprem Court orders arrest of Gilani’s ex-PRO,     ISB: SC has asked the FIA to arrest former media coordinator of the prime minister, Khurram Rasool.     Present him in the court on 24th January otherwise action would be taken against the Agency.     Khurram Rasool is accused of corruption of Rs530 million.     Musharraf denies delay in return,     LONDON/KARACHI: Former military ruler & chief of (APML) Pervez Musharraf has rejected reports about suspension of programme to return home.     he would be back in Pakistan according to the scheduled programme.     SBP injects Rs 242.5bn in market,     Trade thru dry port fetches Rs1bn tax,     India SC rejects army chief’s plea,     100 more engines by year-end: Bilour,
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 Economic reforms underway: Gilani



World Bank VP calls on Prime Minister Gilani
'NODMC to ensure transparent disbursement of donations'
ISLAMABAD: Despite tremendous troubles, economic reforms in the country are going on with improved governance and democracy, Prime Minister said while talking to Isable Guerrero, Vice President of World Bank who called on him here at the PM House.
Prime Minister said Pakistan is facing the biggest human and economic crisis in history because of devastating floods and it is beyond of any single country's capacity to meet a challenge of such magnitude.
Prime Minister acknowledged that the presence of Isable Guerrero, Vice President of the World Bank shows the concern and solidarity of the major international financial institution.
He thanked the World Bank for provision of $1 billion funding for flood related early recovery and reconstruction projects as well as for financing flood related imports.
Prime Minister hoped that World Bank would favorably consider easing the conditionalities on the economic support being extended.
He further expressed confidence that keeping in view the colossal losses at the hands of ravaging floods, the world community and financial institutions would consider provision of additional resources for relief and reconstruction activities.
As regards disbursement and utilisation of assistance being pledged by the international community, Prime Minister mentioned that matter was thoroughly discussed in the Council of Common Interests (CCI), the highest body at the national level with representation of all the provinces.
He said a National Oversight Disaster Management Council has been formed which would have credible names to ensure transparency and just distribution of assistance both in kind and cash.
Beside all the details and information would be available on the website, he added.
Prime Minister said that Pakistan has strong economic and financial institutions to manage the funds including the Auditor General of Pakistan's office to conduct the audit of expenditures.
It would facilitate, if the funds being committed by international financial institutions are channelized through the government of Pakistan's existing systems, which includes the Public Accounts Committee headed by the Leader of the Opposition, he added.
Isable Guerrero, Vice President of the World Bank apprised the Prime Minister that the entire Board of the World Bank consisting of 185 members were greatly concerned with the situation arising out of drastic floods and all of them were considerate towards helping Pakistan in this time of need. Isable Guerrero specifically referred to the forthcoming Conferences of 19th September in New York, 3rd October in Brussels and Pakistan Development Forum in Islamabad in November, as important platforms for mobilizing requisite economic support for Pakistan. Secretary Economic Affairs Division, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue and other senior officials were also present in the meeting. Furthermore, while talking to Najmuddin Khan, Minister for SAFRON, who called on him at PM House, Gilani said that National Oversight Disaster Management Council (NODMC) would monitor flow of donations and ensure their transparent disbursement to the flood-hit provinces.
Najmuddin Khan presented a cheque of Rs5 million for the Prime Minister Flood Relief Fund. Prime Minister told Najmuddin Khan that since he was the member of NODMC, he was responsible for receiving all relief goods on behalf of his region as well as required for its equitable distribution in various flood affected areas. The SAFRON Minister thanked the Prime Minister for his support to various development projects initiated by the government in areas of Frontier Regions. -Agencies