RAWALPINDI: The Wold Bank Mission, led by Mr Rudolf Bablutzal, which visited Pakistan in January-February this year, has prepared a “very favourable” report on Pakistan’s economic situation and prospects for the economy for the fiscal year 1968-69, official sources told [agency] here today [March 18].

The Bablutzal Mission is back in Washington and has completed its report which will now be circulated among the members of the Aid-Pakistan Consortium. The Consortium is expected to meet in Washington around the middle of May to pledge assistance for the next year.

Pakistan is expecting over 550 million dollars for its 1968-69 development programme and commodity imports, it is understood.

The Bank report, besides being favourable, predicts that Pakistan’s economy will have a considerable acceleration during the next year, Dr Mahbubul Haq, Chief Economist of the Planning Commission, said here. Dr Haq has just concluded discussions in Washington with the World Bank on prospects of assistance for the next year.

The Bank report is learnt to have projected that the Gross National Product in Pakistan will rise by seven per cent during 1966-77. — Agency

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2018