ISLAMABAD, Jan 31: A Corps Commanders meeting was informed here on Thursday that Pakistan was likely to be immensely benefited from the reconstruction work in Afghanistan that had jointly been planned by the US, European Union and Japan.

President Gen Pervez Musharraf presided over the meeting, which was told that Pakistan had been assured of all possible support to improve its economy.

Official sources said public and private sector efforts were being harnessed to greatly take part in the massive reconstruction work for which $4.5 billion had been approved by the international community for next five years.

The president spoke at length on the world community, under UN guidance, having selected Pakistan as the route for the massive reconstruction efforts being launched for Afghanistan.

The meeting was told that Pakistan had decided to use Karachi as the hub through which most of the assistance to Afghanistan would be transited. The multinational assistance in the form of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), consisting of equipment, stores and personnel of 18 countries had already started.

The force would be assisting Afghanistan in providing training and to help to Afghan security forces and its rehabilitation and reconstruction.

The meeting was also briefed on the latest scenario in the region, arising out of the massive deployment of troops by India along the international borders.

It also reviewed the deployment of Pakistani troops and their state of preparedness. The president expressed his complete satisfaction with the steps taken by the various formations to counter any misadventure by the enemy.

Discussion also centred around the Human Development Forum where delegations from 22 countries had promised overwhelming support to Pakistan in establishing schools and providing assistance for health, education and poverty alleviation.

The president briefed the participants about the visits of foreign dignitaries including Lebanese Prime Minister Raffic Harriri, the US secretary of state, Canadian deputy prime minister, British secretary of international development, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, US Senate and congressional delegations, US Gen Tommy Franks and British Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Sir Michael Boyce to Pakistan and their extremely positive perception of Pakistan’s standing in the world community as well as their sustained support for Pakistan.

All Corps Commanders and Principal Staff Officers of the Pakistan Army attended the meeting.