PAKISTAN

ISLAMABAD: At least one billion dollars pledged by the US in Tokyo Conference in Pakistan aid, are part of Kerry-Lugar Bill, said US Coordinator for Civilian Assistance Ambassador Robin Raphel signed the USAID’s financial assistance on Saturday.

In a special interview with Geo News, she said her country will extend assistance under Kerry-Lugar Bill in sectors including energy, water, education and health in collaboration with the government of Pakistan, and the NGOs.

She stressed the aid money would be spent preferably in terror-hit and backward areas, adding the fund money under Benazir Income Support Program would be a part to the same aid.

Robin said the US is taking stock of 19 projects relating energy, which were solicited by the government of Pakistan.

Earlier, Raphel said the $84 million assistance to BISP is included in the commitments made by the US in Tokyo during the Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP) meeting.

Further dialogues between the US and Pakistan will continue for priority of the people of Pakistan particularly for the low-income group, she added.