Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Zardari for early approval of US aid bill

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, April 13, IRNA -- President Asif Ali Zardari Monday emphasized need to expedite US legislation for aid to Pakistan and need for working out a joint strategy to counter terrorism.

The Pak president was talking to Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, John Kerry here, a statement from the President's office said.
The Kerry-Lugar Bill has suggested 1.5 billion dollars annually to Pakistan.

President Zardari also called for American legislation to establish Reconstruction Opportunity Zones in the tribal regions.

Senator John Kerry discussed with him the situation in the region, upcoming meeting of Friends of Democratic Pakistan in Tokyo on April 17, funds for socio-economic uplift in Pakistan and the ongoing war on terror.

While discussing the forthcoming meeting of the Friends of Pakistan forum at Tokyo and the economic and security challenges facing the country, the President termed financial assistance to Pakistan essential for the economic and social uplift of the people of Pakistan.

Generous support from international community will help the strengthening of democracy in the country, he added.

The meeting was attended among others by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, and Anne W. Patterson, the US Ambassador to Islamabad.