Ex-Pakistani PM urges Soeharto to hold dialog

Ex-Pakistani PM urges Soeharto to hold dialog

JAKARTA (JP): A visiting former Pakistani leader yesterday
suggested President Soeharto and other government officials hold
direct dialogs with the people since the country's image had
become badly tarnished by foreign media reports over student
demonstrations here.

Former Pakistani prime minister Moeen Qureshi pointed out the
necessity to counter wrong perceptions caused by media reports on
the country's situation.

"Riots here may cause negative impacts on foreign investment
in the country, especially if reports by CNN or other members of
the foreign press are exaggerated," Qureshi said after meeting
with the President at the Bina Graha presidential office.

Accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and
Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Qureshi met with Soeharto in his
capacity as the chairman of the U.S.-based Partner Emerging
Market Corp.

He told the President that his company would invest up to
US$700 million in infrastructure projects here, including for
telecommunication and electricity services.

Qureshi reported that the President responded positively to
his suggestion, which he said was based on his own experience
while leading Pakistan through a similar crisis.

He also advised the President to devote special attention to
poor people who were most severely affected by the economic
crisis.

Qureshi, 68, was appointed as Pakistan's acting prime minister
for three months in July 1993 when prime minister Nawaz Sharif
lost the position.

Although his tenure at the helm of the Pakistani government
was brief, the former World Bank vice president has been
described as a man with courage because he introduced sweeping
and political reforms.

President Soeharto told Qureshi that he was fully committed to
his agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to
reform the country's economy.

"I am satisfied with the President's reaction," he said.

Later in a separate meeting with the national Thomas Cup and
Uber Cup badminton teams, the President criticized the
international media for unbalanced reports over the country's
situation.

"They always describe it as if we are facing chaos and famine
because of the economic wreckage," Soeharto said. (prb)