Washington, Oct. 19: As Pakistani civilian and military leaders arrive here this week for high-level meetings, the US will try to mend a relationship badly damaged by the American military’s tough new stance in the region.
Among the offers will be a multi-year security pact with Pakistan, complete with more reliable military aid — something the Pakistani military has long sought to complement the five-year, $7.5 billion package of non-military aid approved by Congress in 2009. US will also discuss how to channel money to help Pakistan rebuild after its ruinous flood. But the American gestures come at a time of fraying patience on the part of the US.
A senior American official said: “If Pakistan does not intensify its efforts to crack down on militants, the administration would find it hard to persuade Congress to keep supporting the country.”