Author: Reuters
Publication: The Times of India
Date: June 25, 2003
Pakistan's Islamic Opposition on
Wednesday denounced a $3 billion US aid pledge secured by President Pervez
Musharraf as a disgrace to the country and evidence of subservience to
Washington.
The vice president of Jamaat-e-Islami,
Pakistan's main Islamic party, said Musharraf had obtained "nothing" for
the Pakistani people in his meeting with President George W Bush at Camp
David on Tuesday.
Khursheed Ahmed added that Bush's
refusal to deliver 28 F-16 fighter aircraft under a stalled deal dating
back to the 1990s was "actually a slap on our faces".
"The $3 billion aid package is a
disgrace for Pakistani people," he said.
"Musharraf has provided every support
in the so-called war against terrorism, but in return what has he got?
I would say nothing for the people of Pakistan."
Ahmed accused Musharraf of pursuing
a policy that made Pakistan "subservient" to Washington and said it was
unclear how much of the package would go to important debt rescheduling.
"Even if one billion dollars of
the package goes to debt rescheduling, then I would say Musharraf has compromised
on peanuts," he said.
Bush proposed the aid package over
five years in return for Musharraf's support in the US-led war on terror,
which Pakistani Islamists, who did unexpectedly well in October elections,
bitterly oppose.
Half the money will go towards defence
equipment and security.
Many in Pakistan have still not
forgiven Washington for refusing to deliver 28 of the fighters in the 1990s
because of concerns over Islamabad's nuclear programme. The United States
is also wary of feeding an arms race in the region.
