The Hindu : $300 million for Pakistan in U.S. budget

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004

International

International

$300 million for Pakistan in U.S. budget

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, FEB. 3 . The United States President, George W. Bush, has proposed a $2.4 trillion budget that will include some $560 millions for South Asia. The primary beneficiaries in the region will be Pakistan and Afghanistan with India getting $15 millions to finance an education initiative for disadvantaged communities, implement water and power infrastructure reforms and develop a more effective response system for disasters.

Pakistan will be getting $300 millions that will see $200 millions for debt relief and budget support and the rest going in the direction of social sector programmes that will include expansion of health services for women and children. Afghanistan is slated to get $225 millions, essentially to bolster progress for stability.

Mr. Bush sent to Congress on Monday his budget proposals for fiscal 2005 with nearly 18 per cent of the money earmarked for Defence spending, or a seven per cent increase. The budget also sees a record $521 billions in deficit.

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$300 million for Pakistan in U.S. budget