ISLAMABAD, Nov 29: United Nations Development Programme Administrator Mark Malloch Brown called on President Pervez Musharraf on Thursday to discuss international efforts for rehabilitation of Afghanistan.

Mr Brown is working in liaison with the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and other donor agencies for the economic recovery of Afghanistan — a task assigned to him by the UN secretary general.

The UNDP official informed the president about preparations which would lead to the donors’ conference scheduled to be held in January in Tokyo.

He stated that success of the Bonn meeting was vital for initiating efforts for Afghanistan.

The president agreed with him and expressed the hope that the efforts would be launched as soon as Afghan groups reached a conclusion.

Gen Musharraf said: “International assistance and economic recovery of Afghanistan would help stabilize the political situation and consolidate peace in the region. It was also necessary to create conditions for the return of Afghan refugees.”—APP