From US to Pakistan: A $2bn military aid package
By Arun Kumar, IANSFriday, October 22, 2010
WASHINGTON - The US has announced a $2 billion package of military aid to Pakistan even as it asked Islamabad to get tough with terrorists that threaten its neighbours, the world and Pakistan itself.
The five-year assistance package covering 2012-2016 was announced by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Friday at the start of the final day of the latest Washington-Islamabad strategic talks. The deal is subject to Congressional approval.
With Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi sitting by her side, Clinton also made clear it expects Islamabad to do more in the fight against terrorists saying they threatened Pakistan’s neighbours, the world and above all Pakistan itself.
The US has given Pakistan more than $1 billion of military aid a year since 2005; last fiscal year, it gave nearly $2 billion.
(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)
