Pak minister asks US not to attach strings with economic aid

Washington, July 8 (ANI): Pakistan's Parliamentary Affairs Minister Babar Awan has asked Washington not to attach conditions with the US aid to Pakistan, as the country requires string-less assistance to fight the global war on terror.

"This is not the time for attaching conditions to assistance. We are fighting not only for Pakistan, but for global peace," the Daily Times quoted Awan, as saying.

Awan's remarks come in the backdrop of recent proposals on Capitol Hill conditioning future US assistance for Pakistan.

Both the US House of Representatives and the Senate had passed their respective legislative measures to triple economic assistance for Pakistan to 1.5 billion dollars annually.

Lawmakers from the two chambers are expected to reconcile their versions in order to send a final version to President Barack Obama for endorsement.

Awan welcomed the desire to help Pakistan but argued the aid should be utilised by the democratic government - which includes all major political parties in the ruling coalition - and it should not be administered through non-governmental organisations.

He urged Pakistan's critics to understand that the country was being run by an elected government, which was committed to utilise foreign aid transparently for the benefit of the people. (ANI)