Pak thankful but won't take aid

PM Manmohan Singh on Thursday called up his Pakistan counterpart Yusuf Raza Gilani, expressing his sense of sorrow and willingness to offer more assistance though Islamabad is yet to take a call on India's initial offer of 5 million US $ help for its worst ever flood

PM Manmohan Singh on Thursday called up his Pakistan counterpart Yusuf Raza Gilani, expressing his sense of sorrow and willingness to offer more assistance though Islamabad is yet to take a call on India's initial offer of 5 million US $ help for its worst ever flood.

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"The PM said (during his telephone call to Gilani) that the Government of India had already made an offer of assistance and was ready to do more to assist in the relief effort," a statement from Ministry of External Affairs said.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has thanked India for offering $5 million aid for the relief of flood victims in his country. Sources in the Pakistan foreign ministry had said India's offer was being considered.

Visas unlikely for Indian docs
Nearly 400 Indian doctors, who are waiting for Pakistan's nod to help flood victims, are unlikely to get visas to go there. Nationalist leaders in Pakistan have welcomed the offer from the doctors and paramedics, saying it would bring a message of love from across the border, but fears are that Islamabad would not allow them to enter the country.

With IANS input