TOKYO, April 17 The Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP), led by the United States and Japan, pledged more than $5 billion on Friday to stabilise Pakistan`s troubled economy and fight the spread of terrorism in the country and neighbouring Afghanistan.

The US and Japan started off the one-day conference by pledging $1 billion each. Saudi Arabia added $700 million and the EU $640 million.

The total pledged was $5.28 billion, according to Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

“There is a desire to help Pakistan,” President Asif Ali Zardari said, but added that the international community was still trying to grasp the implications of the problems his country faced.

“Despite the fact that I lost the mother of my children, I have taken up this challenge ... to lead Pakistan out of these difficult times,” Mr Zardari said.

“It is a terrain where no forces in the world or no armies of the world have never won before,” he said. “War as it is is not a `win proposition`.”

“I still fear that the understanding of the danger that Pakistan faces still does not register fully in the minds of the world,” he said. “If we lose, you lose. If we lose, the world loses.”

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso said he was impressed by the president`s resolve.

“I am convinced that the strong commitment by Pakistan itself will strengthen the resolve of the international community to support the civilian government,” Mr Aso told the gathering.

“We cannot stabilise Afghanistan without stabilising Pakistan and the opposite is also true,” he added.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said “We feel and we believe that Pakistan is serious in combating terrorism.”

Speculation has simmered that Mr Mottaki and US special envoy Richard Holbrooke would have a chance to chat at Friday`s gathering, but Mr Holbrooke was coy when asked if they had spoken. “We ran into each other,” he told reporters.

The donors said their contributions would be focussed on improving the economic climate in Pakistan through infrastructure and other projects, and stressed that stability in Pakistan was key to averting the growth of terrorism throughout the region.

The total fell short of Mr Zardari`s hope of as much as $6 billion in pledges. The conference`s Japanese hosts had said they expected a figure closer to $4 billion.

“We have demonstrated our clear determination to face the issues,” said Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone.

Both Japan and the US will make their contributions over the next two years, and neither represented a dramatic change in their current pattern of donations. Saudi Arabia`s pledge would also be disbursed over the next two years, and the EU`s over the next four years.

The US said in a statement it would contribute $1 billion as a “down payment” on aid it has already announced.

Mr Qureshi called the conference a success.

“I am more than satisfied with the successful conclusion of today`s conference,” he said. “In fact, I am delighted.”

Though focussed on Pakistan, the conference also discussed related issues in neighbouring Afghanistan.

“Without stability in Pakistan, there is no stability in Afghanistan,” Mr Aso said in a speech opening the conference.

“Stability in border areas is a key and I want to stress that the international community supports comprehensive strategies by the two nations.”

The conference, supported by the World Bank, was attended by 31 countries and 18 international organisations.

The US contribution will go towards Washington`s previously announced plans to give Pakistan $1.5 billion in aid each year for the next five years.

Separately, a $7.6 billion bailout has been granted by the International Monetary Fund to avert the country`s most recent balance-of-payments crisis.

As part of the IMF deal, Pakistan has been asked to reduce its fiscal deficit and to tighten its monetary policy.

ANCHOR OF STABILITY

A statement issued after the Friends` meeting acknowledged the important role and sacrifices of Pakistan in confronting the menace of terrorism and extremism, as well as its strong commitment to become an anchor of stability and peace in the region as a whole.

President Zardari expressed his gratitude on behalf of the people of Pakistan to the FoDP for lending their support to Pakistan enabling it to realise the vision of a democratic, progressive, welfare state, committed to the consolidation of democratic institutions, the rule of law, good governance, achieving socioeconomic advancement, economic reform, and overcoming the challenges posed by terrorism and extremism.

President Zardari reiterated the commitment of the government and people of Pakistan to defeat terrorism and militancy.

He outlined the steps Pakistan would take to stem the spread of extremism and to address the political, economic and security challenges confronting the country.

He stressed that his government and the international community would remain firm partners in confronting and eliminating terrorism, militancy and extremism.The president also expressed the commitment to achieve economic reforms for further stability of the country.

The meeting recognised with appreciation the resolve of the government and the people of Pakistan to promote peace, security, stability and prosperity within the region and to work with the international community constructively to promote these goals at the global plane.

In this context, the meeting recognised the need for Pakistan`s strategy for public diplomacy to attract further support for and solidarity with the people and the government.

The meeting expressed its full support to the efforts of the government of Pakistan in ensuring its security and upholding the sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of Pakistan.

The members of the FoDP decided to deepen and broaden their engagement with and provide tangible support to Pakistan with a view to establishing a robust partnership for peace and development.

The meeting expressed support for Pakistan`s efforts to further advance economic reforms by undertaking policy reform, privatisation as well as increasing private sector`s growth, accountability and transparency.

The meeting decided to establish effective follow-up mechanisms for international cooperation and coordination including working groups, with interested countries and institutions, in the identified areas of development, security, energy and institution capacity building besides trade and finance.

The working groups will carry forward the process of analysis, formulation, evaluation and implementation of proposals in the above areas. The existing donor coordination mechanisms will be strengthened.

It was decided that the FoDP process would be carried forward with a view to exploring all avenues to support Pakistan in realising shared development priorities and addressing security challenges with focus on less developed areas.

In particular, the Friends will support the efforts of the government of Pakistan to tap the potential of public-private partnerships and that of civil society actors. To facilitate the process of the FoDP and its follow up, the meeting welcomed the decision of the government of Pakistan to set up the FoDP secretariat in Islamabad.

The meeting welcomed Turkey`s proposal to host the next ministerial meeting in Istanbul.The meeting also affirmed the solidarity of the international community to the Pakistani nation for realising the vision of a democratic welfare state committed to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.—Agencies