Obama Admin, Senators share different opinions over Pak aid

Washington, May 9 (ANI): The US State Department has admitted that there are certain differences in the opinion between some Senators and the Obama Administration over the huge financial aid being provided to Pakistan.

"There are differences of opinion on the Hill about the situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan," State Department spokesperson Robert Wood said.

When asked about the Senators' reservations following the President Obama's meeting with his Pakistan and Afghanistan counterparts, Wood said : "There are members of Congress that have very serious concerns about the strategies that both the US and Pakistan governments have been employing with regard to dealing with extremist elements."

Some senators had described the attitude of President Zardari and Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai as very 'casual'.

They were of the view that Washington must keep certain restrictions in the aid to Pakistan in order to force Islamabad to continue its fight against the militants.

Wood added that the US is 'cooperating on all cylinders' with both Pakistan and Afghanistan its bid to establish peace in the region.

He added that whatever reservations the some of the Senate members have, would be soughted out soon.

"We're going to be working with Congress to try to provide what we believe is appropriate assistance to help these two governments meet the challenges they face," the Dawn quoted Wood, as saying.

He said both Kabul and Islamabad have now understood that the Obama Adminsitration is deeply concerned by the situation and wants both the countries to take-up the challenge seriously and fight it sincerely.

"I think both the leaders are well aware of the mood on the Hill. But as I said earlier, I think there is a shared determination on the part of those two leaders to take the necessary steps to deal with these threats," he added. (ANI)