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Pakistan seeks funding in Tokyo Japan PM pledges $1bn to Pakistan
(about 8 hours later)
Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari is in Tokyo for a donor conference that is expected to pledge between $4bn and $6bn (£2.7bn-£4bn) of aid. Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso has pledged up to $1bn (£670m) in aid to Pakistan, after talks with President Asif Ali Zardari in Tokyo.
He will hold talks with Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso ahead of the meeting of 25 foreign backers, including the United States, China and Saudi Arabia. Mr Aso said Pakistan's stability was important for the region and that of the international community.
Delegates will want to hear Pakistan's commitment to economic reforms. Mr Zardari thanked Japan for supporting Pakistan's "fight against terrorism".
Donors also want progress in Pakistan's fight against an increasingly formidable Islamist insurgency. The pair were speaking on the eve of a donor conference hosted by the World Bank and Japan, which it is hoped will raise $6bn in loans and grant aid.
Pakistan will also outline its strategies to fight insurgency and revive its economy to a separate ministerial-level session of the "Friends of Democratic Pakistan". Almost 30 donor countries are to meet on Friday to pledge funds for the next two years.
Later those countries - the US, Japan, China and Saudi Arabia - will join other donors to pledge aid over the next two years. Local media reports say Japan will give $1bn. The BBC's Roland Buerk in Tokyo says delegates will want to hear Pakistan's commitment to economic reforms and progress in its fight against an increasingly formidable Islamist insurgency.
Pakistan is also to outline its strategies to a separate ministerial-level session of the "Friends of Democratic Pakistan", which includes the US, Japan, China and Saudi Arabia.
Fighting terrorismFighting terrorism
Pakistan is critical to the United States' hopes of stabilizing Afghanistan. Our correspondent says Pakistan is critical to the United States' hopes of stabilising Afghanistan, by defeating militants on both sides of the border.
Many Taleban fighters operate from Pakistan's lawless north-west. Militant groups have carried out suicide attacks and are increasingly challenging the writ of the state.Many Taleban fighters operate from Pakistan's lawless north-west. Militant groups have carried out suicide attacks and are increasingly challenging the writ of the state.
Pakistan narrowly averted a balance of payments crisis last year when it secured a loan of $7.6bn from the International Monetary Fund.Pakistan narrowly averted a balance of payments crisis last year when it secured a loan of $7.6bn from the International Monetary Fund.
There is concern an economic meltdown in nuclear-armed Pakistan could fuel popular support for extremism.There is concern an economic meltdown in nuclear-armed Pakistan could fuel popular support for extremism.
Speaking in Tokyo, Pakistan's foreign minister said his country wanted a political expression of solidarity and support for its role as a frontline state fighting terrorism.Speaking in Tokyo, Pakistan's foreign minister said his country wanted a political expression of solidarity and support for its role as a frontline state fighting terrorism.