US pledges aid worth $110 million for IDPs in Pakistan; UN urges international aid worth $543 million; Zardari: Victory is the only option while dealing with Taliban; Gilani: US should review policy of Drone attacks
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Whatsapp
  • Linkedin
  • Print
  • Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated at a press conference on May 19 that $110 million was being granted to Pakistan as ‘emergency aid’ to provide amenities for the civilians affected by the army operations in Swat, Buner and Dir. Ms. Clinton added that the aid being provided was important as the rapid proliferation of extremism in Pakistan was also a threat to US security1.

    The UN on its part pledged $543 million for the two million refugees displaced due to security operations against the Taliban. UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan, Martin Mogwanja admitted that the scale of civilian displacement was “extraordinary in terms of size and speed and has caused incredible suffering2.” President Zardari also unveiled a package of $8 billion for the internally displaced people (IDPs) and added that “victory is the only option3.”

    PM Gilani meanwhile urged the US to change its policy on drone attacks inside Pakistan as they were ‘subverting’ the army’s operation against the militants. He noted that there was unanimous consensus among all the political parties regarding the issue of the drone attacks4.

    In other developments, India’s new External Affairs Minster S.M. Krishna stated that India was ready to develop friendly ties with Pakistan provided it took tough action to raze the terror infrastructure within its territory5.

    Top