Japan to pledge $1 bil. at Tokyo donors meeting for Pakistan

TOKYO, April 15 Kyodo -
Japan is making final arrangements to pledge $1 billion, or 100 billion yen,
over two years at a donors conference for Pakistan slated for Friday in Tokyo
to assist the country in stabilizing its economy and fighting terrorism,
government sources said Wednesday.
Including Japan's envisaged share, about 40 countries and international
organizations attending the Pakistan Donors Conference are expected to announce
a total of about $4 billion in assistance to Pakistan over the same period, the
sources said.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Wednesday that with the
assistance, he expects Pakistan's economy to post a growth rate of 6 to 7
percent, compared with a 2.5 percent increase forecast for the fiscal year
through June.
''We are here to ask you to help us restore confidence in the economy of
Pakistan,'' Qureshi said at a news conference in Tokyo. Economic stability is
prerequisite for Pakistan to defeat terrorism, reverse extremism and strengthen
political and democratic institutions in the country, he said.
''I expect friends of Pakistan, friends of democracy -- all over the world --
to come and join hands with Pakistan, and Pakistan can be a role model for the
Muslim world, setting the base for a democratic era in that region,'' Qureshi
said.
Pakistan is considered a front-line state in the fight against terrorism and
violence has increased in its tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, where
al-Qaida and the Taliban are resurgent.
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari will also attend the Tokyo conference, to
be co-chaired by Japan and the World Bank.
==Kyodo