By IANS,
Islamabad : Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Friday called on the US to write off Pakistan’s debt to help Islamabad overcome the current economic crisis aggravated by the war on terror, a media report said.
Gilani told visiting US special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke, during a meeting at his house that the debt waver would help Pakistan to mobilise resources for the displaced people in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Geo TV reported.
The Pakistani leader has urged the US administration to initiate action through the US Congress for substantial increase in aid as well as expedite military supplies to Pakistan for the campaign against terrorism.
Gilani thanked the US government for providing more than $300 million in aid for the displaced people in the Malakand Division.
He hoped the major European and Muslim nations would follow the US and come forward to help the displaced civilians in Pakistan.
The prime minister said the nation was united on the issue of army operation against the Taliban.
Holbrooke said the US would look into Pakistan’s request for the debt write-off and measures were being taken to accelerate the pace of military supplies to Pakistan.
He expressed satisfaction on the progress of the work for rehabilitation of the displaced people.
He praised the traditional hospitality of the Pakistanis in accommodating the displaced people in their homes despite their own meagre resources.