Finance Minister meets United States Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan

Islamabad, December 07, 2015 (PPI-OT): Finance Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar received Richard G. Olson, the newly appointed US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP) for a meeting here on Monday. They discussed matters regarding the Heart of Asia Conference being convened in Islamabad on Tuesday.

Mr. Richard Olson expressed the hope that the Conference would play a significant role in furthering Pak-Afghan relations in all important spheres. He particularly emphasized the areas of trade and economic cooperation which he said would receive due focus at the conference. He also appreciated the progress that Pakistan and Afghanistan has achieved with regard to CASA-1000 project.

The Finance Minister on the occasion shared with the US AfPak Rep. the outcome of the recently held Pak-Afghan Joint Economic Commission meeting was satisfying and mutually beneficial for both countries. The Minister said that both countries had achieved a lot in the realm of trade facilitation. He apprised Mr. Richard Olson about the initiation of grant of multiple visas to Pakistan businesspeople by the Afghanistan authorities. The decision he said would help augment Pak-Afghan trade.

Mr. Olson also on this occasion mentioned about the Pak-US Working group meeting on energy which is scheduled to be held in early 2016. The Finance Minister welcomed convening of the meeting saying that Pak-US cooperation in the field of energy is an important facet of their bilateral partnership. US Ambassador to Pakistan, David Hale and senior officials of the US Embassy and Ministry of Finance attended the meeting.

For more information, contact:
Director General (Media)
Nadeem Haider Kiani
Ministry of Finance
Government of Pakistan
Room # 514, Block-‘Q’, Finance Division,
Pak. Sectt. Islamabad
Tel: +92-51-9211707, +92-51-9208281, +92-51-9206382
Fax: +92-51-9210877
Email: so_coord1@finance.gov.pk