Clinton Pakistan visit

KARACHI: US Secretary of State Hillary ClintonHillary Clinton has committed a total of US$243.5 million as new assistance for Pakistan during her visit, besides underscoring United States’ resolve to forge a broad-based relationship with its South Asian ally.Hillary Clinton who wrapped up her three-day official visit to Pakistan on Friday evening, announced the financial aid to be used in the areas of development, energy, food security and on the programs relating border security and law enforcement. Secretary Clinton pledged US$55 million in a meeting with Prime Minister Gilani to assist Pakistan on providing humanitarian relief to the displaced families. The breakup of the assistance is US$10 million through UNHCR for the internally dislocated persons of Waziristan, US$20 million food aid through World Food Programme and US$25 million to help Pakistan’s efforts in reconstruction of terror affected areas of Swat.  She also pledged US$103.5 million as US support for Pakistan’s priority law enforcement and border security programs. In addition, the US State Secretary participated in an event promoting Benazir Income Support Program with President Asif Ali ZardariAsif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani and announced a contribution of US$85 million for the program. The program is a monthly cash subsidy program designed to help the country’s poorest women and their families. Hillary Clinton announced the first phase (US$125 million) of a signature energy program by the United States to support Pakistan’s energy development. The United States will also help upgradation of 10,000 tubewell pumps in Pakistan. According to US State Department, the new assistance announced by Secretary Clinton is outside of Kerry-Lugar measure and what has been previously pledged. Besides holding meetings with the country’s top political and military leadership, Ms Clinton also interacted with a cross-section of people including civil society, parliamentarians, business community and university students. She also held separate meetings with Senate Chairman Farooq Naek, Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza, Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader Nawaz SharifNawaz Sharif and elders from FATA and expressed the US support for the continuation of democratic process in Pakistan. In a meeting with Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani, the US State Secretary exchanged candid views on issues of mutual interest. With an aim to express respect with Pakistan’s religious and cultural values, Ms Clinton visited Badshahi Mosque and Data Darbar in Lahore and the shrine of great mystic Hazrat Bari Imam in Islamabad.  *** This Message Has Been Sent Using BlackBerry Internet Service from Mobilink ***