WASHINGTON, Aug 2 (APP)- Ibad U. Rehman, the Central
Organizer MQM USA Sunday said that "MQM believes in equal opportunities, and
at the same time, in equal sense of responsibilities for everyone."
"Economy is showing better signs on the paper. But, it will not be fully
vibrant until the common class starts seeing its positive impact."
In an interview with APP, Mr. Ibad said, "as a nation, we must understand
the ground realities in political, social and economic areas of the country,
region and the world, as we live in a global village. Either, we become a
part of it, or would simply be left behind with disastrous inevitable."
In response to a question, the noted attorney said: "Extremism leads to
terrorism, terrorism creates fear, and fear squeezes economy to dry dead.
Lets work on forming a fearless and law-abiding society- economy will grow
automatically."
Asked to comment on the holding of roundtable conference on Pakistan in
Washington DC on July 23 under the aegis of the International Finance
Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank, he said "it was, indeed, a good move by
IFC to involve prospective investors and socio/political groups from the
Pakistan community living in
the United States."
An MQM delegation attended the daylong expert IFC discussions. On the
richness of deliberations, Mr. Ibad said these were useful. "Overall, it was
a good show of strength and offerings by the IFC. However, the
loan/financing process itself was not as simple as
we thought. Also, only 20% to 30% financing for identified projects is not
so attractive for the investors."
Regarding identification of any IFC aided development plans, he said, "MQM
USA is actively pursuing with the Sindh Government through our international
Secretariat in London, to identify projects for possible financings by the
IFC."
He stated that "We are more interested in security instruments, like street
and highway camera networks, to curb crimes, besides being interested in
healthcare and educational projects." In this behalf, the Central Organizer
said, "we already have had two telephonic meetings with the Governor Sindh,
Ishratul Ibad Khan, a meeting with MQM's Parliamentary leader Dr. Farooq
Sattar, besides holding a meeting with the International Secretariat in
London."
He said, "we have agreed in principle that investors from USA must be given
special attention and should be accommodated on a priority basis."
On the invitation of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, MQM USA’s Central
Organizing Committee, together with the Central Organizer and the North
American Caretaker attended the conference, held by IFC and the World Bank
Group on July 23, which discussed in detail investments in Pakistan. The MQM
delegation included Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Ibad U. Rehman, Sabihul
Islam and Aijaz Siddiqui.
MQM’s delegation explored possibilities of World Bank’s investments in
various projects in Pakistan. Various top companies have shown their
interest in investing in Pakistan including America Online. MQM assured the
participants that the situation in Pakistan, particularly in Sindh, is
suitable for foreign investments.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) promotes sustainable private
sector investment in developing countries as a way to reduce poverty and
improve people's lives. IFC is a member of the World Bank Group and is
headquartered in Washington, DC. It shares the primary objective of all
World Bank Group institutions to improve the quality of the lives of people
in its developing member countries. Established in 1956, IFC is the largest
multilateral source of loan and equity financing for private sector projects
in the developing world. IFC has 176 member countries, which collectively
determine its policies and approve investments.
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