American experts say political instability in Pakistan may affect US aid

Washington, Mar. 7 (ANI): American political experts have said that Pakistan cannot afford political instability at this critical stage when the US administration was launching fresh economic assistance initiatives, and aiding it to fight the war on terror.

"One thing is for certain regarding Pakistan and the US, for a multitude of reasons, Pakistan can ill afford another internal political crisis so soon after the February 2008 parliamentary elections," the Daily Times quoted a news report, as saying.

"The (recent) political turmoil occurs just as the US Congress is getting ready to debate new legislation that would potentially provide Pakistan with increased amounts of non-military aid," Lisa Curtis, a South Asian foreign policy expert told The Pittsburgh Tribune.

Curtis cautioned Pakistan that the political crisis might affect the enthusiasm of the US Congress to consider the new aid measures.

Fredrick Jones, communications director for the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee also expressed concern over "Pakistan's internal politics that could have international implications."

"It (political agitation) is worrisome, anything that forces the government to lose focus, and makes tough decisions politically difficult, has got to hurt the effort (against terrorism)," Jones said. (ANI)