U.S. aid buys little goodwill(Wapo)
The U.S. government has provided about $18 billion in civilian and military aid to Pakistan since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks made this country America's most essential, and vexing, ally. Yet according to a Pew Research Center survey released last month, half of Pakistanis believe the United States gives little to no assistance here.
For Obama administration officials, that's a source of deep anxiety -- and frustration. Pakistan is at the center of U.S. hopes to turn around the flagging Afghan war, but persistent anti-American feelings limit the extent of Pakistani cooperation.
Pakistan seeks IMF help on floods
Officials from Pakistan hold talks with the International Monetary Fund to discuss its $11bn loan package in the wake of the devastating floods.
Thousands flee S Pakistan floods
Tens of thousands of people in southern Pakistan are fleeing a threatened flood-surge, three weeks after heavy monsoon rains first hit the country.
Pakistan floods: Painfully slow progress of aid effort
As the flooding that has made millions destitute across Pakistan moves down through the country, the BBC's Ben Brown travelled by hovercraft and helicopter to follow relief efforts in southern Sindh province. |
Pakistani flood victims' anger at US
By Jill McGivering BBC News, near Nowshera
"We're doing so much to help the United States in the war on terrorism. Now we're in crisis and we expect help," said one of the businessman donors.
His colleague agreed: "Now's the time for them to prove their commitment to us."
In fact, the US is already the biggest single donor to the UN's emergency fund.
On Thursday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced more aid. But in Pakistan, critics of the US still sound scathing.
Ayaz Amir, an MP in Nawaz Sharif's opposition party, said: "The United States is spending $5bn every month on the war in Afghanistan. That puts into context what they're giving us."
Deadly blast at Pakistan mosque
At least 24 people have been killed and 25 injured in a bombing at a mosque in the Pakistani tribal region of South Waziristan, officials say.
The blast occurred in the bazaar area of the region's main town of Wana.
Among those killed was a former member of Pakistan's National Assembly, Maulvi Noor Mohammad, officials say.
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