ISLAMABAD: The federal minister for finance Ishaq Dar on Wednesday called for avoiding negative statements on the $1.5 billion aid and assured the National Assembly that the assistance would be used for the welfare of people.
Making a policy statement in the National Assembly on Wednesday, the finance minister categorically stated that a friendly country has given $1.5 billion to Pakistan as a gift without any condition.
The finance minister clarified that amount of $1.5 billion committed by the friendly country in the month of February has been received by Pakistan Development Fund. He said that the first tranche of $750 million was received on February 19 while the second tranche was transferred on March 7. He said that this transaction took place from one Central Bank to the other.
Dar said that no road shows or conferences were conducted for this assistance as the friendly country came forward on its own to help Pakistan’s economy. He said that the friendly country is amongst 26 countries of Friends of Democratic Forum which was launched in September, 2008.
The minister said that the Friends of Democratic Pakistan Forum provided only $341 million out of $6 billion they announced at that time.
