Islamabad: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday hoped that the conditions attached to the USD 7.5 billion aid bill will not come in the way of the US fulfilling its commitments to Pakistan, which he said, would "constitute a real test for US credibility".
Gilani's comments came during his meeting with visiting US Senator John Kerry, one of the authors of the Kerry-Lugar Bill that envisages provision of USD 7.5 billion to Pakistan over five years.
He said the US must take cognisance of public sentiments in the country and concerns on the economic aid package.
Gilani hoped "conditionalities will never come in the way of the US, at any stage, in fulfilling its commitments to Pakistan in the Kerry-Lugar Bill".
This will "constitute a real test for US credibility", he said.
Pakistan's concerns on the Kerry-Lugar legislation should be addressed "through tangible initiatives and effective public diplomacy", he said.
Gilani also made it clear that Pakistan will "never compromise on its sovereignty and core national security interests".
The powerful Pakistan Army has conveyed its concerns over clauses in the legislation related to the civilian government's oversight on the military budget and promotions.
It is believed the military is also unhappy with clauses that seek to limit its role in politics. Gilani also underlined the need for providing market access for Pakistani products and for expeditious passage of the Reconstruction Opportunities Zone Bill by US Congress for development of the tribal areas.
Referring to the military operation against the Taliban in South Waziristan, Gilani said there was national consensus among political forces in Pakistan to "eliminate the evil forces of terrorism and extremism".
It was on the basis of this consensus that a military action was launched in the tribal region, he said. Gilani said public support is important for a "decisive victory".
In this regard, the development aspect on the government's strategy to gain sustained public support is "imperative", he added.
The first few days of the Army action had already resulted in the dislocation of people and "an influx of them is expected in the coming weeks", Gilani said.
He urged "the US and friends of Pakistan to come forward whole heartedly to provide adequate financial assistance to cater for the dislocated persons and for the development of the affected areas".
Gilani said financial aid is also urgently needed for reconstruction in Malakand and Swat, where the army is winding down an operation against the Taliban.
At the same time, Pakistan will remain "constructively engaged with its international partners, including the US", to promote peace, security and development in Afghanistan, Gilani said.
Kerry described the controversy in Pakistan over the Kerry-Lugar legislation as "unfortunate".
The bill is a "genuine effort on the part of the US to build a long-term partnership" by investing USD 7.5 billion for the socio-economic development of Pakistan.
He hoped the joint explanatory statement on the bill has "successfully allayed the misgivings of the concerned circles in Pakistan".
Kerry said he would meet Pakistan's military and political leadership to further clarify and reassure them about the real intent of US Congress and administration to help Pakistan.
Kerry, who is chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also met opposition PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif.
Kerry and US Central Command chief Gen David Petraeus held separate meetings with Pakistan Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.
Sharif told Kerry "about the feelings and concerns of the people of Pakistan regarding the Kerry-Lugar bill", said a statement from the PML-N.
The bill, with its conditions, continues to cause concerns that need to be addressed to "establish a relationship of trust and confidence between the two countries", Sharif said.
He urged Kerry to "consider suitable measures to allay the doubts and misgivings that had arisen in Pakistan". The Obama administration and US Congress should establish "a genuine partnership with the people of Pakistan based on mutual respect and mutual trust", Sharif said.
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, October 19, 2009, 18:06