Wealthy Pakistanis must pay more tax to reduce foreign dependence: Clinton

Washington, Feb.26 (ANI): US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has urged cash rich Pakistanis to pay more tax in order help the federal government overcome the spiralling economic crisis and reduce the country's dependence on foreign aid.

Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Clinton said it is the duty of wealthy Pakistanis to help their government in funding schools and hospitals.

"The very well-off in Pakistan do not pay their fair share for the services that are needed, in health and education primarily," Clinton said.

She stressed that the US spending on Pakistan was aimed at promoting political stability, weakening terrorist elements and helping the war effort in Afghanistan.

According to documents tabled before the US Congress, Pakistan has received nearly 18 billion dollars of aid from the United States, including 11.5 billion dollars in military assistance since 9/11.

A Congressional compilation of the US aid to Pakistan showed that Islamabad received six billion dollars in civilian aid after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.

It may be noted that in its latest annual budget, the Obama administration has proposed 1.6 billion dollars in military assistance and about 1.4 billion dollars as civilian assistance to Pakistan. This takes the total US aid to Pakistan to more than 20.7 billion dollars after the 9/11 attacks. (ANI)