US to ensure every penny of Pak aid is utilized for intended purpose : Clinton

Washington, May 21 (ANI): US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said the Obama administration would ensure that US aid to Pakistan is not diverted to any other channel, and is utilized only for the purpose it is meant for.

"The administration will make sure that there's no diversion of money or any use of it other than what it is meant for," The Dawn quoted Clinton, as saying.Addressing the US Senate's Appropriations Sub-committee on State and Foreign Operations, Clinton said she also supported a legislator's proposal that conditions should be stringed to the assistance provided to Pakistan and Afghanistan to ensure that the money is used only for the purpose for which it is meant for.

Replying to a Democrat Senator Christopher Dodd's query regarding speculations that Pakistan might be using the US aid to expand its nuclear capabilities or to buy weapons to be used against India, Clinton assured the Senate that the aid would not be misused.

"None of our aid will affect the efforts by Pakistan regarding their nuclear stockpile," she said.

"The administration will make sure that there's no 'diversion of money or any use of it other than what it is meant for," Clinton added.

Commenting on the heightened tension between India and Pakistan in the wake of the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, Clinton said Washington wants a cordial relationship between both countries.

"The US would like to see a reduction in India-Pakistan tensions and the resumption of the bilateral dialogue to give both a little more confidence in each other," she said. (ANI)