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Statement by President Wolfowitz: Text & Audio(mp3)
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In Islamabad: Shahzad Sharjeel: (051) 2279-641
SSharjeel@Worldbank.org
ISLAMABAD, August 14, 2005 — World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz arrived in Pakistan today at the start of his first visit to South Asia as President of the World Bank.
Conveying greetings to all citizens on the occasion of their independence day today, he said he was delighted to be able to visit Pakistan so very early in his tenure and to be able to discuss how the World Bank can support the progress of this important country.
"Around the turn of the century, five years ago, Pakistan set itself on a course of economic reform," said Wolfowitz, "and you have sustained this course with real discipline and with real results. I am eager to learn more and to see first-hand how these reforms are beginning to make a difference for the people of Pakistan and especially for your poorest citizens - and most especially Pakistani women and children."
The Bank President said he had heard particularly about gains in education, and a new hopefulness that girls were now attending schools in greater numbers.
"But even with these early successes, the challenges are huge," he said. "I am here to see that the World Bank is offering you its very best support and to see if there are any things we can do even better.
"Pakistan has shown a real determination in its economic reform program: sustaining this effort, investing in infrastructure for the future, and in services for the poor across the nation, will test that determination even further."
Wolfowitz said he was determined that the World Bank be an active partner in that effort.
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