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Addressing the conference Foreign Minister of Pakistan HE Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi hailed ties with UAE and said that strong relationship between the two countries at all level is based on mutual respect and trust.

"The very strong relationship that exists between our two brotherly countries at all levels is based on mutual respect and trust".

He thanked and offered profound gratitude to HH Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan for convening the conference.

He said that it was at Istanbul in August last year when we met on the sidelines of the second Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FODP) Ministerial Meeting that HH offered to host this conference.

Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey HE Bulent Arinc is also attending the conference held in Dubai.

It is therefore no coincidence that the UAE is now Pakistan's second largest trading partner and the second biggest source of foreign investment and remittances, Qureshi said.

"For the people of Pakistan the UAE is like their second home", he affirmed.

Over 800,000 Pakistanis in the UAE are actively contributing its development. Being a commercial and economic hub, Dubai offers the best setting for such a conference.

"On behalf of all participants of the conference as well as on my own behalf I would like to express our sincere thanks to the UAE government for making impeccable arrangements for the conference and for their exceptionally warm hospitality", Qureshi underscored.

The FODP was launched in New York in September 2008. This unique process, involving 20 countries and 6 multilateral organizations, was conceived to help Pakistan win against extremism and terrorism; to triumph over the unintended consequences and legatees of the long conflict in Afghanistan.

He observed that creation of the FODP was also an acknowledgement of the fact that the hydra-headed menace of terrorism is our common enemy. We are all struck by it in one way or another. And no one country, however preponderant, can battle it out alone.

"To eliminate the horrifying scourge of terrorism, not only we need each other but also need to muster extraordinary resolve, perseverance and patience".

The FODP is an embodiment of our collective determination against the evil mindset; to protect our shared civilization; and to bequeath a better world to posterity.

Pakistan has suffered immensely at the hands of militancy and terrorism. In addition to losing thousands of lives, including civilian, policemen and military personnel, we also suffered huge economic losses in terms of infrastructure, investment and exports.

Today, the Pakistani nation is united against terrorism, we are resolved not to let this consensus weaken or whittle away, he pointed out.

It was the unprecedented public support that helped cleanse Swat and Malalakand of militants.

"Over 2 million people had to undergo the predicament of dislocation as a result, of the operation in the Malakand region. Almost all of those displaced have now returned to their homes, awaiting help to start their lives afresh".

Our three-year plan of reconstruction and rehabilitation containing close to 500 projects will cost about $ 300 million. The development plan of five years, based on Post-crisis Needs Assessment (PCNA), would cost around $1.2 billion.

This amount is indeed negligible, especially when compared to millions of dollars being spent in the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, he said.

The Malakand Pilot Project was endorsed by the FODP Ministerial Meeting held in Istanbul on 25 August 2009.

"Our FODP partners should expedite their respective commitments and pledges lest this opportunity of consolidating the gains secured so painstakingly slip away from our hands", the Pakistani Minister stated.

The world leaders committed to stand side by side with Pakistan to help it in its long-term social-economic development in tune with its own national priorities.

The co-chair's statement issued at the end of the first FODP summit, therefore, rightly recognized the importance of public-private partnerships in accelerating Pakistan's socio-economic development.

The FODP countries fully support this initiative as the presence of FODP focal points at this conference indicates, he remarked.

The government and the people of Pakistan are thankful to the representatives of the corporate sector for joining us at this conference, the minister said. --- MORE---.

AAMIR.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2010.