Secretary of State Hillary Clinton committed a total of 243.5 million in new assistance for Pakistan in Islamabad as she underscored United States’ resolve to forge a broad-based relationship with the South Asian ally, the State Department said.
“She throughout, she underscored America’s broad partnership with Pakistan’s democratically elected government.
This is a partnership that covers all dimensions of our bilateral and people-to-people relations,” Spokesman Ian Kelly said, referring to Clinton’s meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on the first day of her visit.
According to the spokesman, Secretary Clinton pledged $55 million at a meeting with prime minister Gilani to assist Pakistan and UN agencies to provide humanitarian relief to families displaced from North Western Frontier Province and tribal areas.
She also pledged 103.5 million in U.S. support for the Government of Pakistan’s priority law enforcement and border security programs.
In addition, the Secretary participated in an event promoting the Government of Pakistan’s Benazir Income Support Program with Prime Minister Gilani and President Zardari where she announced a contribution of $ 85 million to the program.
The program is a monthly cash subsidy program designed to help some of Pakistan’s poorest women and their families.
Kelly believed the new assistance announced by Secretary Clinton is outside of Kerry-Lugar measure and what has been previously pledged.
Besides, the Secretary announced the first phase ($ 125 million) of a signature energy program by the United States to support Pakistan’s energy development, helping to improve the quality of life for all Pakistanis and support their economic development.
The spokesman also expressed United States’ “deepest sympathy to the victims of brutal attack in Peshawar and to the families and friends of those who lost their lives.”
“We continue to stand with the Pakistani people who have seen firsthand the effects of violent extremism. We also honor the brave Pakistani military, police, and security personnel who are now engaged in rescue efforts, as well as those who are fighting to combat extremism and create a safe, stable, and secure Pakistan.”
Pakistan, the spokesman said, is in the midst of an ongoing struggle against brutal extremist groups who kill innocent people and terrorize communities. These attacks show the lengths extremist elements are willing to go as they attempt to force their agenda onto a people who only wish to go about their daily lives in peace.