US approves 1.9 billion dollar aid for Pakistan: Babar

Islamabad, May 19 (ANI): The US House of Representatives has approved 1.9 billion dollar in aid for Pakistan, President Asif Ali Zardari's spokesman Farhatullah Babar said.

Zardari returned to Islamabad on Monday after concluding an official visit to Libya, the UK, the US and France.

"The tour also saw the UK committing 640 million pound over the next four years and France offering civil nuclear technology to Pakistan after decades of embargo in addition to specific aid for the immediate rehabilitation of IDPs and broadening of the partnership to fight the scourge of extremism and militancy," Babar said.

He said wide-ranging measures that were announced during the visit would strengthen Pakistan's economy and garner international support to the country.

Babar said the approval of 1.9 billion dollar was in addition to assistance the Obama Administration had requested for Pakistan, the Daily Times reported.

"No less significant was the French President's offer of a wide ranging civil nuclear deal to Pakistan to help it overcome its energy crisis to make the industries run and create jobs and opportunities," the spokesman said.

Babar said Zardari also flew to New York from Washington to urge the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for a global appeal to help Pakistan deal with the 'human catastrophe' resulting from the action against the Taliban in Swat, a request which the UN chief accepted. (ANI)