Haqqani says Kerry-Lugar Bill doesn't have nuclear restriction

Washington, Oct. 2 (ANI): Pakistan's envoy to the US, Hussain Haqqani, has said the Kerry-Lugar Bill has no provision to restrict Islamabad's nuclear programme.

However, he added, that the bill prevents Pakistan from being part of any outward proliferation.

"The US assistance under Kerry-Lugar Bill represents Washington's resolve to engage with Pakistan over a long-term. I think it (the aid bill) shows US commitment and that it is not going to cut and run," Dawn quoted Haqqani, as saying.

He warned that many conditions attached with the bill may reflect lack of trust.Too much conditionality is never good, because it reflects suspicion. Once we have built the relationship of trust that we're seeking to build between the United States and Pakistan, many of these concerns on both sides will go away," Haqqani said.

"It's a bit like nurturing a relationship which in the past has been transactional and has never been nurtured in this manner," he added.

Pakistan is expected to receive 1.5 billion dollars every year under the Kerry Lugar Bill. (ANI)