Islamabad: The United States will not scale back its aid commitment to Islamabad, the US ambassador said on Thursday, following media reports that Congress had proposed cuts over Pakistan's democracy and rights record.
US ambassador Ryan Crocker said there would be no cut to the full amount promised in 2003 - $ 3 billion over five years up to 2009.
"We are a democracy, Congress has its views, but I would like to make very clear that this administration is totally committed to providing the full amount," Crocker said following a signing ceremony for an agreement on $200 million in budgetary support.
Pakistan is a key US ally in the war on terrorism, but critics point to a nuclear proliferation scandal involving the country's top nuclear scientist, as well as its track record in areas such as human rights and democracy.
Some US officials also say Pakistan is not doing enough to stop Taliban insurgents from using areas on the Pakistan side of the Afghan border to launch attacks on US and other troops in Afghanistan.
Half of the $3 billion promised in 2003 was economic assistance and half was military aid.
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