February 7, 2003	Friday	Zul Hijjah 5,1423

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WASHINGTON, Feb 6: US President George Bush has requested $389.25 million for Pakistan for 2004, substantially larger than $305 million set aside for the current year.

The largest amount — $200m — is being sought for economic support fund. “We will get this money in cash for social and development sectors,” said Pakistan’s deputy chief of mission Mohammed Sadiq. This money, however, cannot be used for debt relief.

President Bush also has requested $75m as foreign military financing for Pakistan while $1.25m has been asked for international military education and training.

Child survival and health programme fund will get $25m.

Law enforcement and narcotics control to get $38m.

Last week the US Senate approved a $305m package of economic assistance for Pakistan for the year 2003.

The package, approved on Thursday, includes debt relief and other assistance. Out of this $305m, $200m is for debt write off.

Pakistan owed a total of $2.9 billion to the US. During President Musharraf’s visit to the US last year, President Bush had announced an economic package for Pakistan which included a $1 billion debt relief for the debt-ridden nation.