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President calls on UN, world community to help IDPs

* Zardari urges French companies to invest in Pakistan

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday urged United Nations agencies and the world community to step forward and help Pakistan look after internally displaced persons.

The appeal came at a meeting with the UN secretary general’s special envoy for humanitarian assistance to Pakistan, Jean-Maurice Ripert – who had called on Zardari.

“The fight against militancy has been given political ownership … it is a great plus,” said the president, adding that a “massive operation” had been launched in South Waziristan, and the Taliban were now on the retreat.

Zardari praised the role being played by UN agencies in providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Pakistan, especially in areas affected by the war on terror.

He condoled the death of UN officials killed in a suicide attack on the World Food Programme’s office in Islamabad.

Ripert thanked the President for a warm welcome, and assured him of UN agencies’ continued support and cooperation. He said he would work with the Pakistani government and international financial institutions to mobilise resources for the rehabilitation of and reconstruction in affected areas. Separately, French Ambassador to Pakistan Daniel Jouanneau also called on Zardari – who said his government was looking forward to a proposed visit by French President Nicholas Sarkozy. The ambassador also delivered to the president a letter from Sarkozy.

Briefing the media on the meeting, presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said Zardari highlighted Pakistan needed active engagement of France and the international community to deal with security and development challenges. He said Pakistan was looking forward to the French government’s support in the EU for greater access to European markets. The French ambassador assured the president of his country’s support in the development of Pakistan and the war against on terror. Also, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad called on Zardari to discuss various matters – the first high-level meeting of a Muthahida Qumi Movement (MQM) leader and the president since a public outburst by the party against the NRO.

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