ISLAMABAD, Feb 28: The US will provide 46,000 metric tons of wheat to Pakistan to replenish its food stocks diminished by the earthquake. An agreement to this effect was signed by United States ambassador to Pakistan Ryan C. Crocker and economic affairs division secretary Khalid Saeed on Tuesday.

The US Department of Agriculture is donating $12 million to procure and transport US soft white wheat to Pakistan’s food and agriculture ministry. The wheat will be in place of the amount made available by the ministry soon after the earthquake to feed over one million people from November 2005 through March 2006.

The wheat will reach the Karachi port from Portland, Oregon.

“We are pleased to help our friend and long-time ally re-establish food supplies to pre-earthquake levels,” said Mr Crocker.

The United States has pledged a total of $510 million in earthquake relief and reconstruction efforts to assist the people of Pakistan and to support the government’s relief and reconstruction efforts.