US supports civilian set-up in Pakistan: Holbrooke

KARACHI: US Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke categorically stated on Wednesday that his country supported a civilian and democratically-elected government in Pakistan.

Answering a question at a press conference which he addressed after meeting Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah following a visit to some flood-affected areas, Mr Holbrooke also said the US supported the civilian government and “also worked closely with the army which was part of that government”.

The chief minister gave a detailed briefing to the US official on the devastation caused by floods in Sindh.

Referring to his visit to Thatta where he met displaced persons in camps, Mr Holbrooke said that he had extended discussion with leaders in Karachi and Islamabad about the disaster.

He said Pakistan needed massive support and said the US which was the first to come to Pakistan’s help, had opened its heart to the people of Pakistan.In reply to a question, Mr Holbrooke said the Kerry-Lugar Act provided $7.5 billion assistance which was meant for water, power, health and education with priorities to water and power projects. However, he said, the Congress had allowed $15 million for emergency assistance.

Washington has donated $261 million for relief and recovery of the flood-hit people.

He recalled that in July this year he and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had come to Islamabad and announced how “we want to spend that money with emphasis on energy and water projects”.

Mr Holbrooke said the US was helping Pakistan to overcome the effects of flood not because of the war on terror or Afghanistan, but because Pakistan needed it. He said the US government would fully participate in every phase of rehabilitation and reconstruction of flood-hit people. The governments in Islamabad and Karachi would have to come up with priorities, he said.

The US envoy also said that if there was a risk of floods in future new dams should be built and old dams should be improved.

Answering another question, Mr Holbrooke said: “We have no troops in Pakistan. Your country is dealing with the situation in tribal areas.”