Shaky economy could scuttle anti-terror war: Gilani

Richard Holbrooke, (L) the US special representative to Pakistan and Afghanistan, holds up an image during a joint news conference with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi at Pakistan’s foreign ministry in Islamabad June 19, 2010. – Photo by Reuters.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani warned on Saturday that public support for war on terror could wane if the international community failed to honour aid pledges and bail out Pakistans troubled economy.

“Time is running out fast. Public support can only be kept intact if the international community start delivering on their pledges,” Mr Gilani told Richard Holbrooke, US Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, during a meeting at the Prime Minister’s House.

International donors had, at a conference in Tokyo in April last year, pledged over $5 billion to help stabilise Pakistans economy and continue its fight against militants. But most donors have yet to fulfil their pledges.