US to triple non-military aid to Pak: Hillary

The incoming US administration of President Barack Obama plans to triple its non-military aid to Pakistan to prop-up the democratically elected government there and also use it as a "condition" on commitment for counter-terrorism missions.

Advocating Washington's intention to work more closely with both Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Secretary of State designate Hillary Rodham Clinton said this is not only about denying Al Qaida and other extremist groups safe haven, this is about persuading these two countries that their security and their future is also at risk.

Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Clinton said the new administration would separate military aid from non-military aid to Pakistan.

"The tripling of the non-military aid is intended to provide resources that will both support the Pakistani people but also give some tools to the democratically-elected government to try to start producing results for the people of Pakistan," the former first lady said.

Though Clinton, 61, did not specify the quantum of aid jump to Pakistan, the Chairman of the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee, John Kerry has indicated that a bill authored by Senator Joseph Biden could be revived. The proposed legislation will hike non-military aid to Pakistan to USD 1.5 billion annually for five years.

However she said the administration would look at whether it can "condition some of that on the commitment for counter-terrorism missions also." The new administration is inclined to support, when appropriate, a legislation in this regard, she said.

She said that the new administration plans to carry out a policy review on Afghanistan as it is the "highest priority" for the new US President.