WASHINGTON: Requesting $742 million in aid to Pakistan, US Secretary of State John Kerry told US lawmakers on Tuesday that the Obama administration was supporting Afghanistan and Pakistan to fight terrorism.
“We are helping Afghanistan and Pakistan to counter violent extremism, deepening our strategic dialogue with India, supporting democratic gains in Sri Lanka and Burma and encouraging the peaceful resolution of competing maritime claims in the South China Sea, a goal that is definitely not helped by militarisation of facilities in that region,” Kerry said.
In his testimony before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Kerry said the State Department has requested $ 742 million in aid to Pakistan to support its citizens as they seek security, build democracy and sustain economic growth and development – even as the country continues to suffer from terrorist attacks.
