US House backs $1.5 billion for Pakistan

[LahoreEstate]

WASHINGTON: The US House of Representatives on Thursday approved $1.5 billion for Pakistan in the fight against the Taliban as part of a $48.8 billion spending bill to bolster US foreign policy and aid efforts.

The legislation includes $2.7 billion in foreign aid for Afghanistan and provides $2.2 billion for Israel, another close US ally, for the fiscal year 2010 starting from October 1. The legislation is $3 billion less than the $52 billion requested by President Barack Obama, with cuts in funds for items such as overseas diplomatic operations and money for agricultural assistance and improved food security. But with the Senate also working on its version, the legislation is likely to go through some changes before becoming law.

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved its own $48.7 billion variant of the bill. It also includes $1.57 billion in aid for Pakistan and $2.7 billion for Afghanistan. reuters

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg1_5