ISLAMABAD, Jan 14: Over 25 foreign envoys were assured on Tuesday that there would be continuity of reforms and other policies by the new government, aimed at improving the economy.

Talking to Dawn, informed sources quoted Shaukat Aziz, the adviser to prime minister on finance, as telling major bilateral and multilateral donors that there was “no question of reversing the reform agenda initiated three years ago”.

The representatives of donor agencies, who gathered at the World Bank’s office, put up various questions. Some of them expressed apprehensions that the political government might deviate from the path of implementing the structural reform agenda.

The adviser quoted President Gen Pervez Musharraf as saying on many occasions that he himself would ensure the continuity of reforms and consistency in policies and that nobody should be worried on that account.

Mr Aziz took the envoys into confidence about the recent reduction in the electricity tariff. He told them that there was enough cushion to offer some relief to people.

Later, Mr Aziz told Dawn that he had informed the donors about the future plans to revive the economy. He said growth and poverty-related issues were also taken up during the briefing.

In reply to a question, Mr Aziz said donors were told that there would be a “targeted relief” for masses in various sectors.

In reply to a question, the adviser said it was agreed that a meeting of the Pakistan Development Forum would be convened in May in Islamabad.

Talking about the status of Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, Mr Aziz said the first draft of the PRSP would be shared with the public for feedback in March and the final document would be released by May 1.

He said the government had stopped the haemorrhage of economy during the last three years and the resultant stabilization had allowed the authorities to plan for future with utmost priority given to improving the social indicators.