September 28, 2002	Saturday	Rajab 20, 1423

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WASHINGTON, Sept 27: The United States has paid $317 million to Pakistan to meet the expenses incurred during the US-led war on terror in West Asia, Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz said here on Friday.

The payment was finalized in a meeting between US President George W. Bush and President Pervez Musharraf in New York on Sept 12.

The finance minister told a news briefing that participation in the Operation Enduring Freedom had cost Pakistan more than $700 million, and said the rest of the amount would also be reimbursed soon.

“Budgetary allocation had already been made and $317 million have now been paid,” he added.

Pakistan provided five air bases to the US in the beginning of the US military offensive in neighbouring Afghanistan. US forces are still using at least two of these air bases.

The finance minister is in Washington to attend the annual IMF-World Bank meeting.