US Congress unlikely to pass emergency aid for Pakistan: US Senator

Washington, May 1 (ANI): Pakistan might be eagerly waiting for 1.4 billion dollars as aid which the United States has pledged, but according to an American lawmaker, the US Congress appears to be in no mood to pass the bill in a huff.

Democratic Senator Richard Durbin said it is highly unlikely that the US Congress would pass an emergency aid package for Pakistan.

"I don't think it's likely," Durbin said.

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates had urged the Congress earlier this week to pass the 83.4 billion dollars spending bill for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan 'as quickly as possible', including assistance for Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts, The Nation reports.

Gates informed a US Senate panel that money to reimburse Pakistan for its operations against extremists along the border with Afghanistan will run out in mid-May.

The Obama administration has made it clear that it wants to speed up to 400 million dollars for Pakistan. Officials have also clarified to the Senators that the administration may seek other avenues for the funding if they fail to act. (ANI)