Haqqani requests $30bn for Pak-Afghan plan

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Haqqani requests $30bn for Pak-Afghan plan

Wednesday, 08 Apr, 2009

WASHINGTON: In an interview with The Washington Times, Pakistan's Ambassador to the US, Hussain Haqqani, has requested for a $30bn Marshall Plan for Pakistan and Afghanistan over the next five years in order to fight terrorism.

The Plan should be used in order to fight al Qaeda, blunt anti-American sentiment in the region and secure Pakistan against extremists, Haqqani said.

He said the cost to the west was minimal in this regard compared to that of rescuing failing banks and corporations.

He said Pakistan needs $5bn a year for the next five years from the United States and its allies to build local law enforcement of about 100,000 men to strengthen counter-insurgency against the Taliban and al Qaeda.

Meanwhile, the Obama administration has pledged $7.5bn in civilian aid over the next five years. President Obama made clear that in return Pakistan needs to demonstrate its committment to fighting al Qaeda and the Taliban.

Haqqani further said that the Inter-Services Intelligence is not in any sense allied with or helping the Taliban and that the era of active support for the 'jihadis' is over.

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Pakistan seeks additional $30 billion U.S. aid

Washington (IANS): Pakistan has asked for a $30 billion Marshall Plan-like package for Pakistan and Afghanistan over the next five years to fight the al-Qaeda, blunt anti-American sentiment and secure Pakistan from extremists bent on destabilising its civilian government.

The demand was made by Pakistan's Ambassador to U.S. Husain Haqqani in an interview with the Washington Times published on Wednesday.

Mr. Haqqani, who plans to attend an international donors meeting for Pakistan in Tokyo next week, said that the cost to the West was negligible compared to that of rescuing failing banks and corporations.

"And the impact in terms of American security and in terms of the longer term stability of the world in a very precarious region will be far greater," he said, claiming "Pakistan has the will to fight terrorists, it needs the means and the United States should provide those."

The ambassador denied published reports that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was helping the Taliban, which the spy agency helped create 20 years ago. "There are contacts for source building," Mr. Haqqani said. "The era of active support for jihadis is over."

Mr. Haqqani said he understood concerns regarding Pakistan's past efforts to fight Taliban extremism in the region, but that the ruling Pakistan People's Party is fully committed to the war on terror and to partnership with the U.S..

"It is time for our allies, our partners, especially the United States, to understand that any misgivings and disagreements that relate to the past should not come in the way of helping Pakistan in the present and for the future," he said.

He cautioned, however, that it would take time to change attitudes in Pakistan. "This is not a switch that can be turned on and off," he said. It "takes a while for the counter-narrative to be accepted."

Despite Mr. Haqqani's assurances that the Zardari government is gaining in strength, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman last week introduced a bill that would withhold U.S. military aid to Pakistan unless the president certifies that it is not supporting terrorist attacks on India.

[Zakii]

they will request and USA will reject it, Story finished

There are chances to get some more money if Pakistan pressurize US now rather than bending down as usual, they should make it clear, either give us money to further improve our security services and give u the best technology invented to save the lives of our poor civilians or we will stop supporting US

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Thursday, April 09, 2009


Pakistan needs a Marshall Plan: Haqqani

Daily Times Monitor

LAHORE: Ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani on Tuesday called for a $30 billion Marshall Plan for Pakistan and Afghanistan over the next five years to fight Al Qaeda, blunt anti-Americanism and secure Pakistan from extremists.

Haqqani told The Washington Times that the cost to the West was negligible compared to that of rescuing failing banks and corporations.

“…the cost of a Marshall Plan for Afghanistan and Pakistan is going to be minuscule [compared] to the bailouts being given to American car companies,” Haqqani said. “And the impact in terms of American security and in terms of the longer term stability of the world in a very precarious region will be far greater. Pakistan has the will to fight terrorists, it needs the means and the United States should provide those.”

Haqqani said Pakistan needs $5 billion a year for the next five years to build local law enforcement, strengthen counter-insurgency and persuade the average Pakistan that the US-led war on extremism is essential for the country’s survival.

The ambassador denied published reports that the Inter-Services Intelligence was helping the Taliban. “There are contacts for source building,” he said. “The era of active support for jihadis is over.”

Haqqani said the current government is fully committed to the war on terror and to partnership with the US.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan