ISLAMABAD, Nov 5: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will offer $600 million to Pakistan in 2002 to help undertake five major development projects, including Sindh Rural Development Project.

“We have worked out some details to extend 600 million dollars to Pakistan next year to help undertake five major projects, including Sindh Rural Development project, Southern Punjab Basic Urban Services Project, Primary School Quality Improvement Project, Gender Reform Project and Governance Reform Project,” said ADB President Tadao Chino.

Talking to Dawn here on Monday, he said that assistance for next year could be increased and that it all depended on projects to be given by the government of Pakistan.

“For viable development projects we may increase our funding substantially,” he said, adding that projects like Sindh Rural Development were needed to be undertaken in order to alleviate poverty and offer new jobs opportunities.

“ADB’s support is directly or indirectly linked to poverty alleviation which is one of the major problems of Pakistan,” he stated.

Responding to a question he said that Pakistan was likely to be offered a very comprehensive economic package by the bilateral and multilateral donors. “This morning I had a meeting with the IMF, World Bank, UN officials and envoys of Japan, US and some other countries and they all are of the view that Pakistan deserves all possible financial support under the present circumstances,” he added. All the donors, he said, were eager to support Pakistan.

However, he said that there could be some delay in extending any bigger package as bilateral and multilateral donors would have to work out various details and seek clearance from their respective governments and boards. “The process for official development assistance (ODA) is always little difficult and lengthy but we are trying to have every thing in place as early as possible with a view to offer timely assistance to Pakistan,” he assured.

Talking about poverty, he said, the ADB was finalizing details for extending funds for the next three-year period to effectively address the issue. “Poverty alleviation and good governance are our priority areas for new funding line for Pakistan”.

In reply to a question, he said, delivery of social services was one of the major problems, which needed to be taken very seriously. “Pakistan needs to improve its education, health and water supply systems,” he said, hoping that the ADB funding will improve overall efficiency of the state sector.

When asked what did he discuss with the managing director of Karachi Electricity Supply Company (KESC), he said the organization urgently needed restructuring for its early privatization. “We are watching the situation carefully as the restructuring of KESC and other financial sector institutions is a very important element of our policy,” the ADB president said.

To a question he said he did not discuss issues relating to elections, democracy and human rights with Pakistani authorities. However, he expressed the hope that the government will hold general election in October next year as per the ruling given by the Supreme Court.