Updated on
Summary
President Awami National Party Asfandyar Wali Khan called on President Asif Ali Zardari and discussed with him matters pertaining to law and order and security situation in NWFP. In a meeting held at Presidency, they also discussed the measures taken for the rehabilitation and return of displaced people to their homes in Malakand division. President Zardari said Pakistan was looking for support and assistance of world community to overcome the gigantic task of reconstruction of the damaged infrastructure in Swat. The President said the government was working on Malakand Pilot Project, a five year plan of action providing for not only rehabilitation and reconstruction of Malakand but also to address the root causes of extremism and militancy. The Malakand Pilot Project will be presented to all FoDP partners for their consideration next week, the President said. The President said the government would ensure the safe return of displaced people to their homes and that the damaged infrastructure was being rehabilitated on priority basis. Earlier, President Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan attaches great importance to its strong relations with Saudi Arabia and stressed need to further enhance ties in other areas. Talking to Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan Abdul Aziz Bin Ibrahim Bin Saleh Al-Ghadeer who called on him at the Presidency, the President said the two countries can further enhance their relations in economic, trade and cultural ties. They also discussed the bilateral relations between the two countries and agreed that there was wide scope for increased collaboration in other areas. The President also appreciated the support and assistance of the Saudi Government for the relief and rehabilitation of the Internally Displaced Persons. The Saudi ambassador assured full support of his government in the rehabilitation of displaced people and assured that he would work to further strengthen ties between the two countries in trade, investment and economic fields. The President later hosted a lunch for the new Saudi Ambassador.
