US pledges financial aid for Pakistan

WASHINGTON: The Obama administration is pledging robust assistance to Pakistan despite demands on US finances and a sometimes rocky relationship with Islamabad, according to a status report on Afghanistan and Pakistan.


The State Department report outlines US goals in the region more than a decade after the September, 11 terror attacks triggered the war against al-Qaeda and the progress after billions of dollars have been spent and American lives lost.


It also outlines the steps forward, looking ahead to the withdrawal of US combat forces by the end of 2014.


The report was delivered to Congress on Thursday. The Associated Press obtained a copy.


”Though a tremendous amount has been accomplished, we also have no illusions about the task before us,” the report said about Afghanistan.


”We expect that ongoing violence, lack of institutional and human capacity, discrimination against women and vulnerable groups, and Afghanistan’s incredibly low economic baseline will remain difficult challenges.”


The report said the US has reached its ”high water mark” for civilian funding and the government in Kabul must move toward establishing revenue sources.


The report said the US will build a foundation for the Afghans to assume responsibility for their future.