March 25, 2010
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced a $125 million pledge for Pakistan’s troubled energy sector on Wednesday. The decision was announced at a joint press briefing following a meeting between US and Pakistani officials.
Secretary Clinton also promised support for Pakistan’s thermal power projects and also assistance for the Benazir Income Support Programme. However, she evaded a question regarding Pakistan’s request for nuclear power plants, clarifying that US support would at present be limited to non-nuclear sources of energy.
Pakistan’s foreign minister Shah Mehmood announced that the US have also agreed to “fast track” military hardware and equipment meant for Pakistan but which had not been received for “months and years.”
The unprecedented nature of these strategic talks between the two countries was highlighted by Secretary Clinton who asserted that the United States had started a “new day” with Pakistan. “For the past year, the Obama administration has shown in our words and deeds a different approach and attitude toward Pakistan,” she stated.
