UN chief, Pakistani president discuss growing crisis in NW province

Source: Xinhua | 05-13-2009 08:56

UNITED NATIONS, May 12 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon met with visiting Pakistani President Asif Zardari here on Tuesday, and the two leaders discussed the growing humanitarian crisis in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province, where United Nations agencies are ramping up aid to hundreds of thousands of people fleeing a government offensive against militants.

"They covered a wide range of issues relevant to Pakistan including the regional situation, movement forward on the Commission of Inquiry into the assassination of Mohatarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, the positive progress in the functioning of the Friends of Democratic Pakistan Group, and current development in North Western Pakistan," according to information released by the secretary-general's spokesperson Michele Montas.

"The secretary-general supported the fight against extremism and expressed confidence and trust in the leadership of President Zardari," the spokesperson said.

During the meeting, Ban voiced the UN's concern for the protection of civilians and the grave problems being experienced by ordinary people as a result of recent developments, the spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, Zardari reiterated his government's commitment to safeguard the interests and livelihood of the affected population.

The two leaders agreed on the need for increased UN assistance to alleviate the plight of those displaced from their homes by the fighting.