US rules out any cut in aid to Pakistan

The US has ruled out any cut in its assistance to Pakistan in view of the recent revelation that Tehrek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is responsible for the failed Times Square bomb attempt, as demanded by certain American lawmakers.

"Well, as the Secretary (of State, Hillary Clinton) said in that very interview (to CBS news), we are satisfied with the cooperation that we have received from Pakistan in this investigation," Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P J Crowley said.

"As she said, we have seen a sea change in change of attitudes within Pakistan over the last couple of years, but that we want and expect more from Pakistan going forward," Crowley said.

A day before, Special US Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke too had ruled out that there was any such move to cut the aid to Pakistan.

In fact US President Barack Obama last year had signed into law the Kerry-Lugar-Berman legislation that would provide USD 7.5 billion of civilian aid to Pakistan in the next five years.

The US is pumping in massive money along with arms and equipments including fighter jets and helicopters to help it make capable to fight the war against terrorism.

At the same time, Crowley said terrorism is one of the major topic of discussion with Pakistan at almost all its meetings.

"In the recent strategic dialogue with Pakistan, terrorism was a major topic of discussion because it is a shared responsibility and a shared threat. So this is part of our ongoing discussion with Pakistan."