Senators seek more aid

A three-member US Congressional foreign relations’ committee delegation on Tuesday demanded of Bush administration to increase financial assistance to enhance Pakistan’s capacity against war on terror, besides switching from an individual focused policy to a people-centric approach to listen to the voices of the people in the future.
The delegation, comprising three US senators John Kerry, Chuck Hagel and Jaseph Biden, told a press conference here that the people of Pakistan have done a great job by voting for moderates in the elections and now it’s political leaders turn to opt for real democracy to resolve their problems and challenges confronted with Islamabad.
The delegation suggested that Pakistan’s leadership, instead of harbouring grudge for what their political opponents did in the past, focus on the future to take Pakistan forward and do a better job for the people’s welfare and development.
It conceded that the war on terror was a badly planned and executed move by the US, which exposed Pakistan to al Qaeda and other Taliban threats, besides making militants stronger across the globe. They that said Pakistan and US interests were common in fighting against Taliban and al Qaeda and they in the future irrespective of changes of the governments in Islamabad and Washington will stand firm for achieving the ultimate goal.
The delegation said the US administration has strongly felt the need of a people-centric approach for Pakistan to help it work more effectively in war on terror, besides focusing on the people welfare. It demanded an effective check of US assistance being spent by the Pakistan military on socio-economic related development projects in Fata and other tribal areas to minimise chances of its misuse. They said the US administration provides $500 million every year and it will like to see its accountability through a well-defined check and balance system.
The delegation said Pakistan’s nuke were safe and managed through an effective system of command however the US will like to work closely with India and Pakistan to make them even more safe in the future. The delegation shared its views with mediamen regarding separate meetings with President Musharraf, Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif during their stay in Islamabad.
They claimed that President Musharraf and political leaders whom they met were ready to take a bigger role to deliver good to the people besides making Pakistan stronger to fight against terror and other serious challenges. They added that parliament and the people of Pakistan were ultimate force to decide the issue of restoration of judges and political fate of President Musharraf.