USA grant for Pakistan to fight war on terror to continue in future too: Patterson

ISLAMABAD: US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. W Patterson has told that US has provided aid US $ 1.20 billion for war against terrorism while grant of US $ 400 million to Pakistan was continuing quarterly.

However, she made it clear that US had no intention to stop aid to Pakistan in future.

While talking to private TV Channel on Thursday she said that eradication of terrorism and extremism had not only provided an opportunity to the put the world on the track of peace, progress and development but also it was also necessary for the Pakistan itself to get rid of ghost of terrorism.

She further said that Pak-US strategic relations were progressing and moving in a positive direction while new US administration was also eager to have good and strengthening relations with Pakistan.

She further told that US was releasing grant of US $ 400 million quarterly to Pakistan as aid for war against terrorism, and Ministry of Finance was given grant directly in the current year also.

She also lauded the government’s measures for the protection of the investors while more US companies were keen to invest in Pakistan due to suitable atmosphere, adding that huge investment in the fields of oil and gas were likely soon.

Similarly, Anne W. Patterson said that war against terrorism does not mean at all to declare Pakistan as unsafe. She further said that delay in the construction of industrial Zones in Tribal Areas was due to opposition of the Bill in congress in this connection.

She also termed Pakistan’s loan from IMF as a positive step, which would put Pakistan on the path of progress and development.