November 15, 2001	Thursday	Shaba’an 28, 1422

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 14: Norway has doubled its annual assistance programme to Pakistan from Norwegian Kronnas 33 million to 66 million.

This was disclosed by Ms Hilde Frafjord Johnson, minister for international development of Norway in a meeting with Shaukat Aziz, minister for finance here on Wednesday.

The Norwegian minister expressed satisfaction over the financial management of Pakistan and successful completion of IMF programme.

She said that the Pakistan government has introduced financial discipline which has emboldened confidence of the international community in the financial health of the country.

She also praised Pakistan’s principled stand to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Ms Hilde Frafjord Johnson further committed Norwegian government’s support to Pakistan in the Paris Club for debt swaps.

The bilateral Norwegian debt is around US$50 million. Norway, she further disclosed has unfrozen assistance. Now it would continue to flow in Pakistan uninterrupted and will grow steadily with the passage of time.—APP