NEW YORK: Pakistan’s concerns that attaching conditions to US aid will be counter-productive have been accommodated in the Kerry-Lugar bill, presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said on Saturday.

‘Our reservations have not been ignored,’ said Mr Babar while briefing journalists in New York on President Zardari’s six-day visit to the US city to attend the UN General Assembly.

The bill to triple US aid to Pakistan was approved by the US Senate on Thursday.

It now goes to the House of Representatives before it is sent to President Barack Obama for signing it into a law.

‘When the bill is finalised, the government of Pakistan will take whatever action it deems appropriate,’ said Mr Babar when informed that the bill contains conditions that could hurt Pakistan.

The bill requires Pakistan to allow access to those found involved in nuclear proliferation and forbids the Pakistani military and intelligence agencies from helping militant groups like Lashkar-i-Taiba.

It also prevents Pakistan from using US aid or the money it saves from using US aid on other projects for enhancing its nuclear programme.

‘We will cross the bridge when we come to it,’ said Mr Babar when asked how Pakistan plans to deal with these conditions.

‘It boosted the confidence of the democratic setup in Pakistan and enhanced hopes for the future,’ said Mr Babar when asked if the president’s visit was a success.

‘If asked to describe the outcome in one sentence, I would say it brought confidence and hope,’ he added.

Mr Babar cited the following ‘tangible achievements’ the president’s visit:

—Passage of the Kerry-Lugar bill, which brings $1.5 billion of annual assistance for five years. It will help the fight against militancy and strengthen civilian institutional structure. The US Congress, in recent years, has not made such a long-term commitment to any country.

The bill endorses Pakistan’s position that it wanted a long-term strategic commitment rather than a transitional relationship, which bred mistrust and suspicion.

—Symbolism of the Friends of Democratic Pakistan meeting: President Zardari told the FODP that a stable and economically stable Pakistan is the world’s best hope against extremism.

—Setting up of a multi-nation, multi-billion dollar trust fund at the FODP for sustained financial support, particularly in the affected areas of Fata. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced additional aid of 50 million pounds for the tribal areas.

—This is a significant and very striking vindication of the position of the PPP and the government that the fund will provide the financial grist to Pakistan’s ideological determination to fight extremism.

—US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told the president that she has appointed an international energy coordinator to help Pakistan’s energy projects. The adviser attended her meeting with the president. He will visit Pakistan in October.

—A collective bunch of new assistance and pledges, the Dutch PM, $114 million, Australia, 140 agricultural scholarships.

—The Asian Development Bank set up a special fund for energy projects in Pakistan.

—The World Bank set up another fund for additional support for projects other than those in the tribal areas.

— An Intangible achievement: Pakistan’s position that all projects financed by the US must be endorsed by the government has been accepted.

—In UNGA sidelines meetings, the president introduced new economic initiatives. CEO General Electrics agreed to set up wind mills in Balochistan and Sindh. A GE team will visit Pakistan soon.