‘US has right to interfere in Pakistan’s affairs’

ISLAMABAD - The US has the right to interfere in Pakistan’s economic and governance affairs as Washington provides funds to it, the American envoy here has asserted.

US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter said the US was the largest aid giver to Pakistan and, therefore, it has the right to interfere in economic and governance affairs, Geo News reported Saturday.

Addressing a ceremony here, the ambassador said the US made demands to Pakistan with respect and dignity, adding that the statement by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton over the issue of fuel prices was misquoted.

Clinton had said it was a “mistake” for Islamabad to reverse the fuel price rises as the move undermined its efforts to bolster its ailing economy.

“We believe that the government of Pakistan must reform its economic laws and regulations, including those that affect fuel and its cost,” Clinton said.

Munter also sought to dispel the impression that the US was mounting pressure on Pakistan for launching military operation in North Waziristan.