'Friends of Pak' tell it to get its economic reforms in place to ensure survival

Brussels, Oct 16(ANI): The Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP) has stressed on the need for continued efforts by the Pakistan government for sustained economic revival following the recent devastating floods in the country that affected 20 million people.

FoDP is a group aimed to extend support the Pakistan government in its efforts to consolidate democracy, and support social and economic development in the country.

In the third ministerial meeting of the FoDP, held in Brussels, the group stressed on taking necessary structural measures to generate and enhance maximum possible domestic resource mobilization for reconstruction and long-term development.

The meeting was hosted by European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and co-chaired by Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

Foreign Ministers and senior representatives of 20 countries and four multilateral institutions also attended the meeting.

"For Pakistan to become more stable, you can harvest as much money as you want, it won't be enough at the end of the day if there is no reform," the Daily Times quoted Guido Westerwelle, German Foreign Minister, as saying.

"An adjustment in the equilibrium between rich and poor in Pakistan is fundamental," he added.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague underlined that "necessary reforms were required in Pakistan and they should include a widening of the tax base".

The FoDP also stressed on the need for strong solidarity and the international community's support to Pakistan to meet the unprecedented needs of reconstruction and rehabilitation of the flood victims.

"The ministers noted that the unprecedented need for post-flood reconstruction and rehabilitation should be met by a strong signal of solidarity and tangible support from the international community," a joint statement issued after the FoDP meeting said.(ANI)