Islamabad:
The Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Friday briefed the Pakistan National Assembly on his talks with US lawmakers on the controversial Kerry-Lugar Bill, asserting that he had made clear that Pakistan "will not allow America to micromanage" its affairs.
Qureshi said he had also told Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that "Pakistan will not compromise on its sovereignty." He also assured the assembly "there was no compromise ever on the nuclear programme of Pakistan
The onus, he said, was not on Pakistan and the Bill placed no condition on the Pakistan government for the aid.
US President Barack Obama signed the controversial Kerry-Lugar Bill, which gives 7.5 billion dollars of non-military aid to Pakistan, on Thursday. The Bill comes with a covering note that assures Pakistan of non-interference in its internal affairs, but there is no change in the original legislation.
There has been criticism from the Opposition back in Pakistan. PML N chief Nawaz Sharif has rejected the signed Bill saying it still compromises Pakistan's sovereignty and must be debated in Parliament. "Unfortunately the Kerry-Lugar Bill has clauses which are against Pakistan's national interest," he said.
Qureshi assured the Pakistani parliamentarians that he had also met Vice -President Joe Biden and also Admiral Mike Mullen in the US and highlighted every Pakistani concern and that "Pakistan will not compromise on national security and national assets."
"They said we hear you loud and clear," Qureshi said, adding, "I am quoting Kerry 'don't want to impinge on national interest or micro manage.'
He pointed out that the economic assistance for the next five years had been tripled. The Bill, he said, envisioned subsequent assistance for another five years and the money would be used for schools, hospitals and poverty alleviation.
Qureshi pointed out that Pakistan had been negligent in investing in the people of the country and that Pakistan's social indicators were abysmal.
The Kerry-Lugar Bill, he reiterated, placed no conditions on the Pakistan government. "This act respects the independence of Pakistan...They say they want to improve relations on the basis on mutual respect, not subservience," he said.
Richard Holbrooke, US special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the chief author of the Kerry-Lugar bill, Senator John Kerry, are expected to visit Pakistan early next week. They are expected to meet senior leaders and try to dispel the impression that the US is trying to micromanage the country.
Qureshi said he had also told Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that "Pakistan will not compromise on its sovereignty." He also assured the assembly "there was no compromise ever on the nuclear programme of Pakistan
The onus, he said, was not on Pakistan and the Bill placed no condition on the Pakistan government for the aid.
US President Barack Obama signed the controversial Kerry-Lugar Bill, which gives 7.5 billion dollars of non-military aid to Pakistan, on Thursday. The Bill comes with a covering note that assures Pakistan of non-interference in its internal affairs, but there is no change in the original legislation.
There has been criticism from the Opposition back in Pakistan. PML N chief Nawaz Sharif has rejected the signed Bill saying it still compromises Pakistan's sovereignty and must be debated in Parliament. "Unfortunately the Kerry-Lugar Bill has clauses which are against Pakistan's national interest," he said.
Qureshi assured the Pakistani parliamentarians that he had also met Vice -President Joe Biden and also Admiral Mike Mullen in the US and highlighted every Pakistani concern and that "Pakistan will not compromise on national security and national assets."
"They said we hear you loud and clear," Qureshi said, adding, "I am quoting Kerry 'don't want to impinge on national interest or micro manage.'
He pointed out that the economic assistance for the next five years had been tripled. The Bill, he said, envisioned subsequent assistance for another five years and the money would be used for schools, hospitals and poverty alleviation.
Qureshi pointed out that Pakistan had been negligent in investing in the people of the country and that Pakistan's social indicators were abysmal.
The Kerry-Lugar Bill, he reiterated, placed no conditions on the Pakistan government. "This act respects the independence of Pakistan...They say they want to improve relations on the basis on mutual respect, not subservience," he said.
Richard Holbrooke, US special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the chief author of the Kerry-Lugar bill, Senator John Kerry, are expected to visit Pakistan early next week. They are expected to meet senior leaders and try to dispel the impression that the US is trying to micromanage the country.
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