US President Barack Obama has proposed a $ 3.2 billion assistance for Pakistan for fiscal 2011, a substantial jump in American aid to that country.
Noting that Pakistan is a key country in the war against extremism, the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Jacob Lew, said the budget focuses on improving basic infrastructure, which will enable civilian government to provide better services to the people of Pakistan.
"This is key to improving stability and will also provide the military the tools needed to wage an effective counterterrorist campaign. For Fiscal 2011, funding for Pakistan is $ 3.2 billion," he said, adding that in 2010 it has been $ 1.88 billion.
"For Pakistan, the Budget also increases security assistance and funds a new signature energy project," the White House said in a fact sheet adding the budget expands the number of civilian personnel in Afghanistan and Pakistan in an effort to build government capacity, increase diplomatic engagement, manage expanded assistance programmes, and reduce the potential for fraud and misuse of American funding.
Obama has proposed $ 1.2 billion for the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund as against $ 700 million in 2009.
Increase in aid to Afghanistan and Pakistan is to revitalise economic development and confront the resurgence of the Taliban, the White House said.
{{/usCountry}}Increase in aid to Afghanistan and Pakistan is to revitalise economic development and confront the resurgence of the Taliban, the White House said.
{{/usCountry}}