World Bank-led meeting on Afghanistan causes concern in Pakistan

The article discusses the implications of a recent meeting in Islamabad - 'Preparting for Afghanistan's reconstruction', which took place in Islamabad on 6 December 2001. Independent economists and activists in the host country were more sceptical about the new influx of money and donor influence in the region.

The article finds that:

• although the international community does indeed have a role in rebuilding a war-torn country, partnerships need to be scrutinised more carefully
• despite the fact that the meeting was held in Pakistan, there was a feeling that little effort had gone into involving Pakistani officials, NGOs and businesses interested in reconstruction in the region
• positively the Taliban are a spent force now
• negatively war lords and drug magnates are taking over again
• heroin prices have gone down recently
• there is extensive deforestation in Afghanistan
• smuggling and other illegal activities make revenue collection very difficult
• Pakistan has been severely impacted by the events following September 11
• before any serious reconstruction can take place, more detailed information is needed on requirements for housing, schools, medical facilities
• the price tag for reconstruction is high
• the World Bank is proposing to play an important role in reconstruction
• the meeting in Islamabad clashed, curiously enough, with the UN meetings in Bonn
• there are fears that the international financing for reconstruction activities may be a form of reborn colonialism
• it is claimed that the IFIs have an important role in maintaining security globally and reconstruction in Afghanistan will play a vital role in this activity
• on the other hand decisions to provide loans are rarely separable from the larger policy framework and international relations