Islamabad, Mar 26: Pakistan welcomed a US decision to waive economic and military sanctions, imposed by the United States in 1999. The sanctions were introduced under the foreign operations preparation act, following a military coup in October 1999 by President Pervez Musharraf, which overthrew the government of prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
However, since 2001 most of the sanctions have either been relaxed or suspended.
''We hope this is a precursor to the termination of this US law's application to Pakistan,'' foreign ministry spokesman Masood Khan said.
''This is a good decision and we welcome it,'' Khan said.
He said the sanctions affected military financing and training in addition to economic activities under the US trade and development agency, Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and Economic Support Fund (ESF).
''The latest decision reflects increasing cooperation between the two countries in many areas,'' Khan said.
Bureau Report