Pakistani insurgents pose threat to US and the world: Boucher

Washington, May 15 : US Assistant Secretary of State for Central Asia and South Asia Affairs, Richard Boucher, has said insurgents in Pakistan's frontier region continue to pose a serious threat to the United States and the rest of the world.

Testifying before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South Asia, Boucher was quoted by the Daily Times as saying that Pakistan had requested for 117 million dollars for basic education and 47 million dollars for higher education in the 2009 budget.

"The recent election outcome in Pakistan illustrated the Pakistan people's commitment to democracy. Their choosing of a government comprised of (sic) moderate political parties also demonstrates a desire to reject violent extremists. The United States must help the Pakistani people seize the opportunities that these successful elections now present," he added.

Boucher also said that Islamabad's base request of 300 million dollars, and an additional 100 million dollar requested in the 2009 "bridge supplemental" would continue to support Pakistan's security force modernization.

It would also provide equipment and training for the Security Development Plan in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and its surrounding agencies.

"We aim to address the health, education and economic programmes in the Tribal Areas through the continuation of our five-year 750 million dollar funding commitment that began in fiscal year 2007. We've requested 60 million dollar in the fiscal year 2008 supplemental and 150 million dollar in the fiscal year 2009 base to fulfil this commitment in Pakistan," he added.

ANI