Punjab cancels 6 MoUs with US

Punjab Law minister says aid agreements cancelled in in protest over the secret raid that killed Osama bin Laden.

LAHORE:
Punjab has cancelled six aid agreements with the United States in protest over the secret US raid that killed Osama bin Laden, its law minister said on Friday.

Pakistan hailed Bin Laden's death as a big step against militancy but was incensed by the raid in Abbottabad, saying it was a violation of sovereignty.

"We have cancelled six MoUs (memorandums of understanding) with the United States in the fields of health, education and solid waste management," said Rana Sanaullah, Law Minister of Punjab.


"We have conveyed their concerned departments about our decision. This is our protest against the Abbottabad incident."

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has called for a review of the country's ties with Washington, urging the government to reduce reliance on foreign aid.

A PML-N spokesman said Punjab had been expected to get Rs20 billion rupees for welfare projects in the next three years from the United States.

Bin Laden's presence in Pakistan has led to calls by some US congressmen to cut aid to the country, which is heavily dependent on American financial assistance.
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