He was talking to newsmen at a joint press conference with US Under-secretary for Public Diplomacy Karen Hughes here at the Prime Minister House.
Karen Hughes and Christina Rocca are accompanying the US private sector top level companies' delegation that is on Pakistan's visit on the direction US President Bush to see the damage caused by October 8 earthquake in Azad Kashmir and NWFP, and inform the other fellow corporate sector companies to help generate funds needed for rehabilitation and reconstruction.
The delegation comprised Jim Kelly CEO/ Chairman, UPS, Hank Mekinnell of Pfizer, Anne Mulchay of Xerox.
Shaukat said that reconstruction work was not a one-day journey, "rather it spans over years", and the international conference of the donors scheduled for November 19 would be the first step towards the destination.
According to the Prime Minister, the assessment report on the damage was ready for the donors' conference. He said the government and the international donors, such as World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB), had completed the report on damage which mentioned that Pakistan needed $5 billion for rehabilitation and reconstruction work. He said he was confident that Islamabad's call would help it get the $5 billion for the damaged parts of the country.
The Prime Minister appreciated US role in helping Pakistan get funds for rehabilitation and reconstruction, and expressed optimism that other countries would follow Washington in this noble cause.
Ms Karen assured that the US would come forward and help in generating money badly needed for reconstruction work. She said the US government was on its feet to make the world feel that damage caused in Pakistan by the earthquake was much higher than what was being potrayed by media. She said the visit of the top level US corporate sector companies was indicative of the commitment that the USA gives great importance to its relationship with Pakistan.
She said: "The US is a friend of Pakistan, and it will do utmost efforts to get money for rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged parts of Azad Jammu Kashmir and NWFP."
She said that Rocca was given the assignment by US President to travel to Middle East and get maximum financial support for Pakistan to help it construct the damaged parts.
She said that the earthquake had damaged most beautiful parts of Azad Kashmir and NWFP, leaving thousands dead and hundreds of thousands injured, besides leaving a large number of families homeless.
The visiting CEO/ Chairmen of US companies also urged the international community that it should come forward with open minds and hearts and help Pakistan in a big way to raise funds for early completion of rehabilitation and reconstruction work.
Pfizer CEO Hank Mehinnell announced $2 million cash grant, besides a donation of $10 million medicines.