And an older article that has PM Gillani detailing the types of investments:
Gilani, Karzai express resolve to make joint efforts for regions peace, prosperity
Source: Government of Pakistan
Date: 13 May 2009
ISLAMABAD, May 13 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Wednesday expressed the resolve to work collectively for development and prosperity in the region, and provide the future generations an environment of security and stability. Addressing the inaugural session of third Regional Economic Cooperation (REC) conference on Afghanistan, the two sides reiterated their commitment for a collaborative work to realize the vision of regional peace and development.
Prime Minister Gilani in his speech said, "We will transform our region into one, where terrorism and extremism are but a distant memory. And where future generations can enjoy the fruits of freedom, development and prosperity in an environment of security, stability and abundant opportunity."
He said Afghanistan's development has to be accorded priority and it's government, neighbours, regional countries, major powers and international organizations needed to act in concert to advance the shared goals.
He said Pakistan was prepared to join in efforts with Afghanistan in promoting regional connectivity, strengthening energy cooperation, expanding opportunities for Afghan citizens and enhancing the capacity of Afghan national institutions. He said Pakistan and Afghanistan share faith, folklore, culture, customs and have common roots.
"Our joys and sorrows, our successes and tragedies, intersect and our people are bound by a distinct sense of shared destiny," adding that together both countries could embark the road to deeper trust, greater understanding and intensified cooperation.
Gilani said Pakistan was proud to be an active participant in the reconstruction of Afghanistan and added that it had contributed over $ 300 million for this purpose.
He said currently Pakistan was engaged in constructing the 200-bed Jinnah General Hospital and Thalacemia Centre in Kabul, another hospital in Logar and a Kidney Centre in Jalalabad. The Prime Minister also announced to build a hostel for over 1,000 students in Kabul and undertake expansion of the universities of Kabul, Nangarhar and Balkh.
About Pakistan's efforts for the development of Afghanistan, Prime Minister Gilani mentioned the already completed Torkham-Jalalabad highway and said at present, it was engaged in building a parallel carriageway. He said Pakistan had supplied 200 trucks, 100 buses and over 50 ambulances and mobile medical units to Afghanistan and printed 10 million textbooks for Afghan school children, besides supplying school kits, computers, tents, food aid and other essential items.
The Prime Minister announced allocation of 1,000 scholarships for Afghan students. He also proposed setting up model villages for Afghan returnees and plans for promoting skills development through vocational training centres. The Prime Minister said Pakistan would set up a regional Customs Academy in Kabul, extend the railroads up to Afghanistan, and accelerate the projects on infrastructure and energy connectivity.
"These projects are the first incremental steps towards the realization of a futuristic vision for the region," he said. The Prime Minister said, "We have no doubt that this vision is within reach. Through concerted efforts, we will establish integrated and interconnected corridors of trade and transport."
He said Pakistan had also been engaged in capacity building of Afghanistan's state institutions in the fields of diplomacy, law enforcement, judiciary, agriculture, counter narcotics, customs and medical and paramedical services. He said among regional frameworks, Pakistan is a leading participant in ECO's endeavors for the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
Gilani referred to his meeting with President Karzai in August last in Colombo, where the two democratic governments agreed to jointly brought about a fundamental transformation in bilateral relationship. He mentioned that jirga process had been revived in line with the aspirations of the people of the two countries. The Prime Minister hoped that Afghan refugees would return home with dignity and honour and be rehabilitated at their own motherland safely. He said the struggle against terrorism was a struggle for a profound vision for a better tomorrow.
"It is a struggle for hearts and minds, one in which dialogue and development must be the most potent tools," he said. PM Gilani said after long years of conflict and suffering, people of Afghanistan and the region deserve security and stability. "They deserve stronger institutions, effective governance, respite from narco trade, meaningful reconstruction and sustainable economic development and they deserve a healing process, he added. Gilani said the regional dimension of Afghanistan's development strategy warrants closer attention.
The Prime Minister said as EU and ASEAN enjoy intra-regional trade levels of 67 and 23 percent respectively, ECO and SAARC regions register levels barely above five percent, and stressed the need to change this situation significantly. "We need to expand intra-regional trade substantially by, among other means, expeditious implementation of the Economic Coordination Organization Trade Agreement and other regional trade arrangements," he said. Gilani said there was a need to re-negotiate Transit Trade Agreements and strengthen the Trans-Afghan road and rail links.
He said there was a need to put in place region-wide frameworks on energy and food security, adding that border areas had to be developed through creation of trans-border economic zones. These plans should be implemented through project based cooperation, grounded in public-private partnerships with the full engagement of our corporate sectors, he added. Gilani said Pakistan welcomed renewed focus on trans-regional development. He said the RECCA process, by bringing together various stakeholders on a single forum was an important plank to advance the regional development agenda.
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