US finalising aid package for Pakistan: report
A CNN report claims the Obama administration is finalising a $2b aid package for Pakistan to help it fight militancy.
The US media claims that the Obama administration is putting the final touches on a security assistance package totalling about $2 billion over five years for Pakistan.
Senior US officials told the CNN that the amount will help Pakistan fight militants on its border with Afghanistan.
The aid is expected to be announced later this week when Pakistani officials hold high-level talks in Washington.
The package aims to address Pakistan's insistence that it does not have the capability to go after terrorists and needs more support from the United States, said the report. The aid is expected to help Pakistan purchase helicopters, weapons systems and equipment to intercept communications.
The package falls under the United States' Foreign Military Financing programme. It is on top of the Kerry Lugar Berman aid package for Pakistan.
The Express Tribune recently reported that the US agreed to disburse $550 million to Pakistan that had been held up since 2009. The amount is part of the Coalition Support Fund for Pakistan’s fight against terrorism.
According to sources, the US has to pay Pakistan a total of as many as $2.45 billion to cover the expenses on the war against terrorism. An amount of $1.9 billion is still left over from the money promised for 2010.
Pakistan last year sent 30,000 troops into South Waziristan to destroy Taliban strongholds in the region and is now facing demands from Washington to launch an operation in neighbouring North Waziristan. However, the Pakistan Army says it is “overstretched” and will only send troops when it deems possible.
Senior US officials told the CNN that the amount will help Pakistan fight militants on its border with Afghanistan.
The aid is expected to be announced later this week when Pakistani officials hold high-level talks in Washington.
The package aims to address Pakistan's insistence that it does not have the capability to go after terrorists and needs more support from the United States, said the report. The aid is expected to help Pakistan purchase helicopters, weapons systems and equipment to intercept communications.
The package falls under the United States' Foreign Military Financing programme. It is on top of the Kerry Lugar Berman aid package for Pakistan.
The Express Tribune recently reported that the US agreed to disburse $550 million to Pakistan that had been held up since 2009. The amount is part of the Coalition Support Fund for Pakistan’s fight against terrorism.
According to sources, the US has to pay Pakistan a total of as many as $2.45 billion to cover the expenses on the war against terrorism. An amount of $1.9 billion is still left over from the money promised for 2010.
Pakistan last year sent 30,000 troops into South Waziristan to destroy Taliban strongholds in the region and is now facing demands from Washington to launch an operation in neighbouring North Waziristan. However, the Pakistan Army says it is “overstretched” and will only send troops when it deems possible.