Certain Pak quarters with vested interests behind KL Bill controversy: Holbrooke

Washington, Oct.24 (ANI): Concerned and perturbed by the widespread criticism that the Kerry Lugar bill has received in Pakistan, US Special Representative to Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke has said that there are certain quarters with vested interests in that country which are behind all the fuss surrounding the aid.

Holbrooke underlined that the military assistance being offered to Islamabad, like the non-military Kerry Lugar aid, does not have any conditions stitched with it.

"There is no condition applied upon Pakistan through US military aid bill and there is a group comprising certain elements who have their vested interest in criticizing US bill on military assistance," Holbrooke said told mediapersons during a press conference here.

"Pervez Musharraf is now former president of Pakistan and he is allowed to assert his point of view as he wants. There are no conditions on Pakistan through military aid," he added.

When enquired about whether the US, following the audacious terror strikes on Pakistan Army General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and other security installations including the Kamra Air Force base, still has confidence in security arrangements made by Islamabad to safeguard its nuclear installations, Holbrooke said that Washington is certainly concerned, but added that Pakistan's nukes were in safe custody.

He said the Obama administration is working hard improve the working of NGOs and government contractors because it wants that the US taxpayers' money is spent for the betterment of the people of Pakistan and not misdirected. (ANI)