US to set up own monitoring cell to keep tabs on entire Pak aid package

Islamabad, July 1 (ANI): The United States has said it would establish its own monitoring system to keep a check on the entire financial aid package being offered to Pakistan.

Sources said David Lipton, Senior Director for International Economics, National Security Council of USA, during his recent visit to Pakistan, met Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's Adviser on Financial Affairs, Shaukat Tarin, and told him about the monitoring cell.

The United States has also asked Pakistan to make arrangements for the posting of the US inspectors, The Nation reports.

During the meeting, Lipton assured Islamabad of all possible help and said it is very important that Pakistan moved in the right direction.

Lipton was accompanied by US Ambassador Anne Patterson and the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia of the Treasury Department, Robert Dohner.

The delegation also met President Asif Ali Zardari, during which Zardari urged the international fraternity to help Pakistan come out of the economic crises that it is currently facing.

Zardari said that Pakistan was facing an adverse economic situation primarily due to the war against extremism.

"The world should step forward to address the economic problems to pursue the fight against militancy to its logical conclusion," said Zardari.

Zardari said Pakistan is facing very difficult situation, as it has to rebuild its economic infrastructure damaged during the war against terrorism, rehabilitate over two million people displaced due to the Swat military operation, and strengthen its civilian law enforcement agencies to prevent extremism from expanding.

He also stressed on the need for a massive literacy programme to help people fight terrorism. (ANI)