Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Saturday that the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) was playing an important role in the development and progress of the Islamic world and added that its restructuring would turn it into a more vibrant organisation. Talking to Dr Ahmed Muhammad Ali, President IDB, at a meeting, the Prime Minister offered Pakistan's assistance to the bank in its restructuring as it could play a more effective role in uplifting the Muslim countries.

He urged the bank to seek more investment from the Muslim countries, which he said, could be utilised for different development projects.

He noted IDB's role in various projects in Pakistan and said it had played a key role in Pakistan's progress. He said currently the country was focussing on energy, water resources, human development and communications and said the bank can help the country in these sectors.

He also appreciated the 2020 vision of the IDB and said the plan would greatly benefit the Muslim countries and boost their economies.

The President of the IDB said Pakistan had always played a front line role in the Muslim world. He said Pakistan had been the founder member and had actively participated in its strengthening.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2005