'50 million dollar US aid for Swat lying useless in Islamabad'

Islamabad, Mar. 30 (ANI): United States Ambassador to Pakistan, Anne W Patterson, has revealed that 50 million dollars in aid, meant for the rehabilitation and development work in Swat and Northern Areas, were lying unused at the US embassy in Islamabad.

The News quoted Patterson, as telling the former PPP senator Enver Baig that the huge amount, readily available and exclusively meant for the rehabilitation and development of the troubled areas, was being wasted because no one in concerned quarters was interested.

The people, who want to start development work in the tribal areas, needed some security and access, but response was not coming, she added.

Patterson had gone to meet Baig to show her respect after his retirement from the Senate.

Baig wondered how could concerned authorities avoid use of such a huge amount, which could have been used to help the displaced persons of the militancy-hit areas and to generate job opportunities for hundreds of people in those areas.

Baig quoted Patterson, as saying, "We fully understand the religious sentiments of Muslims, but at the same time, the suicide bombings and extremism too do not depict what Islam preaches. The US is ready to give economic assistance to help eradicate this menace."

He told her that the US must engage with all the political players in Pakistan, as the war on terror could only be fought collectively, while adding that until and unless the people supported this war, armed forces would not be able to win for Pakistan or the international community. (ANI)