Government assures security for UN staff

ISLAMABAD (APP) Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said Thursday that the government was taking all possible measures to ensure security of the UN premises and personnel in the country.
He was talking to Jean-Maurice Ripirt, UN Secretary Generals Special Envoy on Humanitarian Assistance who has now been appointed Special Advisor to the Secretary General on Friends of Democratic Pakistan.
The Prime Minister asked the UN to reconsider recent decision to reduce its international staff in Pakistan following a similar decision in Afghanistan.
He said the government with the cooperation of World Bank had already completed Damage Need Assessment (DNA) of the militancy affected areas and would soon proceed with the reconstruction phase at a fast pace. Gilani said that while Pakistan would remain steadfast in its campaign to eradicate extremism and terrorism, the international community must honour its pledges to help it in this regard. He urged Ripirt to play a proactive role in persuading the FoDP countries to deliver on their pledges made at the Donors Conference in Tokyo to enable Pakistan implement Malakand Strategy as well as development plans for other affected areas.
The Prime Minister congratulated Ripirt on his new appointment and assured him of his governments complete cooperation in discharge of his duties.
He said the international community had not been as forthcoming in its support to cater for the needs of more than 200,000 dislocated persons in the wake of Waziristan operation and government of Pakistan was providing a succour to them from its meagre resources.
Ripirt conveyed the UN Secretary General reassurances of its support for Pakistan in stabilising the democracy in the country and in Pakistans war against terror.
He stated that he would work with the Economic Affairs Division and Ministry of Foreign Affairs on FoDP and will persist in his efforts for effective cooperation among the UN agencies to assist the dislocated persons.
He clarified that relocation of some of the UNs international staff from Pakistan was a temporary measure and the UN will not leave Pakistan alone at this critical juncture.
He also assured the Prime Minister that Pakistani staff working in the UN offices will not be laid off and the relocated staff will return to Pakistan as soon as situation improves. MNA Ms Sherry Rahman also attended the meeting.