ISLAMABAD: The US Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, announced on Wednesday $200 million in additional aid for internally displaced persons.

He said the US assistance would be increased from $110 million to $310 million after approval by Congress.

(‘Today, the president (Barack Obama) has asked me to inform you and your government that he has requested the Congress of the United States to allocate an additional 200 million dollars,’ Mr Holbrooke was quoted by AFP as saying.)

Speaking at a press conference along with President Asif Ali Zardari, the US envoy said: ‘President Zardari has requested for additional immediate assistance of $200 million for the IDPs.’

He supported the military action in Swat and assured that the US would extend full support and cooperation to Pakistan in the war against terrorism and for rehabilitation of displaced people. ‘We are committed to helping you in strengthening democracy and defeating militants who threaten democracy in Pakistan, democracy in Afghanistan and stability throughout the region.’

Mr Holbrooke is visiting Pakistan on a ‘special directive’ of President Obama to assess the damage caused by the operation in Malakand and review measures being taken for rehabilitation of the IDPs.

‘President Obama has sent me to show the US concern to Pakistan on internal refugees, now in millions, who have added burden to the already burdened nation,’ he said, adding that the US would provide additional assistance to Pakistan in its hour of need. He urged the international community to do more to help Pakistan in this regard.

The US envoy said that efforts had also been made to involve the Pakistani-American community in relief efforts and 15 lady doctors would soon come to Pakistan to work in refugee camps.

In reply to a question about the use of American weapons by terrorists in Malakand, he said it was a common phenomenon that during ‘insurgencies such weapons are used’.

Asked to comment on Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden’s statement blaming the US for the misery of the IDPs in Pakistan, he said: ‘Not anyone except Al Qaeda is responsible for the whole mess and people living in the camps are fed up with militancy and extremism and want to get rid of these elements.’

President Zardari indicated that the military operation could be extended to Waziristan, the stronghold of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and ‘safe haven’ for Al Qaeda leaders.

In reply to a question about the possibility of military action in Waziristan and other areas, he said: ‘Pakistan is committed to defending its territory from the militants and wherever there is a threat we will follow it.’

Answering another question about the progress in the war against militants, President Zardari said: ‘Anything to say in this regard is too soon. We have a war of ideology to fight. We have a war where we have to win hearts and minds. Once we win hearts and minds of the people of the region, then I will say that we have made progress.’