Zardari discusses economic crisis with 'Friends of Pakistan'

Islamabad, Oct 20 (PTI) Faced with a worsening economic
crisis, President Asif Ali Zardari Monday discussed measures
to address the country's woes by seeking help from Friends of
Pakistan group at a meeting that was also attended by U.S.
Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher.

Zardari was quoted by TV channels as assuring the world
community that Pakistan's economic crisis was temporary and
steps were being taken on a priority basis to overcome it.

The member states of the Friends of Pakistan group should
help the country with more investments and Islamabad would
ensure that all investors are provided complete security,
Zardari said.

Monday's gathering chaired by Zardari was a follow-up to
the Friends of Pakistan group's maiden session in New York
last month. The group is scheduled to meet in the U.A.E. next
month in a bid to garner economic aid for Pakistan.

Besides Boucher, the meeting was attended by Prime
Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood
Qureshi and the envoys and representatives of Britain, France,
Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, China, Turkey, U.A.E.,
the European Union and the U.N.

The members of the Friends of Pakistan group pledged
their support for the country's efforts to strengthen
democracy and to overcome challenges facing it.

Boucher is visiting Islamabad at a time when the
government led by Zardari's Pakistan People's Party (P.P.P.)
is grappling with the Taliban militancy in the country's
northwest and a worsening economic crisis.

The Pakistani rupee has nose-dived against the U.S.
dollar, falling to an all-time low of over Rs 84 in the open
market, while foreign exchange reserves have fallen to a
six-year low.

During his interactions with top Pakistani leaders,
Boucher has reportedly said the U.S. will continue to support
the country's efforts to fight extremism and terrorism and to
tackle its economic problems.

Boucher called on Prime Minister Gilani Monday morning
and discussed the political and security situation in
Pakistan. Gilani briefed him on the measures adopted to
establish the writ of the government in the tribal areas,
sources said.

The meeting was also attended by interior ministry chief
Rehman Malik, Adviser on National Security Mahmud Ali Durrani
and U.S. Ambassador Anne W. Patterson. PTI RHL