U.S. commits $56 million in humanitarian aid to Pakistan, promising more

Khalid Umar Malik
28 Sep 2022, 20:11 GMT+10

WASHINGTON DC, USA - As floods devastate the South Asian country, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Pakistan to seek debt relief from its close partner China.
Blinken promised Pakistan strong U.S. support as it recovers from floods that submerged one-third of the country, an area the size of the United Kingdom.
"We send a straightforward message.

WASHINGTON DC, USA - As floods devastate the South Asian country, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Pakistan to seek debt relief from its close partner China.

Blinken promised Pakistan strong U.S. support as it recovers from floods that submerged one-third of the country, an area the size of the United Kingdom.

"We send a straightforward message. We are here for Pakistan, as we have been in previous natural disasters, looking forward to rebuilding," Blinken said following talks with Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Washington.

"I also urged our colleagues to engage China on some of the critical issues of debt relief and restructuring so that Pakistan can recover from the floods as quickly as possible," Blinken said.

China is a key economic and political partner of Pakistan, pushing ahead with a $54 billion "economic corridor" that will build infrastructure and provide Beijing with an outlet to the Indian Ocean.

Washington, whose Cold War alliance with Islamabad has deteriorated, has repeatedly claimed that China will benefit while Pakistan will face unsustainable debt.

Pakistan has repeatedly dismissed warnings from the United States, which regards China as its primary global competitor.

Over 1,600 people, one-third of whom were children, died in Pakistan's floods, and more than seven million were displaced amid fears that such natural disasters will become more common due to climate change.

The U.S. has pledged $56 million in humanitarian aid and sent 17 planes loaded with supplies, with promises of long-term assistance.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Malaysia Sun.

More Information

28 ℃

Fair in Subang

Southeast Asia

Section

Building bridges: China, Nepal forge new alliances

BEIJING, China - China and Nepal signed several agreements on Monday. The agreements were signed during a bilateral meeting between ...

'Turbulent' Russia to 'High' Bangladesh: Global conflict rankings unveiled

DHAKA, Bangladesh - According to new research that ranks political violence worldwide, Bangladesh ranks 22nd out of the world's 50 ...

Army chief lauds Christian community's contribution in defense, education sectors

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan - Army Chief General Asim Munir met with members of Pakistan's Christian community on Monday, emphasizing the importance ...

Corrupt officials more desperate to keep AL in power than AL itself: Mirza

DHAKA, Bangladesh - The BNP has given the government an ultimatum to release BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is being ...

Pakistan's diplomatic puzzle: Balancing national interests, Palestinian solidarity

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani stated on Saturday that Pakistan's decision to establish relations with Israel ...