Pak Army ready to drop US 'hardware' demand if energy, economy needs met: Kayani

Washington, Mar.26 (ANI): Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has said that he has told US lawmakers that the country's armed forces were ready to drop their demand for 'hardware' if Islamabad is assured that its energy and economic needs would be taken care of.

Interacting with media persons during a briefing at the Pakistan Embassy here, Kayani said there has been a marked change in the White House's attitude towards Pakistan following the military's successful operation against extremists in South Waziristan and the Swat Valley.

"I told Senator John Kerry and Senator Richard Lugar that in order to make sure that Pakistan's economy and energy needs are met, we are willing to forgo the military equipment that we have asked for," The Dawn quoted Kayani, as saying.ayani had met the two influential US Senators earlier this week ahead of the first ministerial level strategic talks between Pakistan and America.

He underlined that the economy and power were the two most worrisome issues his country is facing currently.

"The most important concerns for Pakistan today are economy and energy and we have emphasised that with the American administration that these are the needs that need to be met," General Kayani said. (ANI)