NEW YORK, June 12: Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar said on Wednesday Pakistan would be offered a five-year “comprehensive and substantial economic package” by the Bush administration during President Pervez Musharraf’s visit to Washington later this month.

Talking to reporters at the JFK airport, Mr Khan said this would be an acknowledgment of Pakistan’s vital role in combating terrorism after 9/11 attacks.

He said the package would be a boost for country’s economy and would promote bilateral, political and economic relations with the US. Besides, he said, Pakistan and the United States would sign a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement during the president’s visit.

The commerce minister said he had asked Ambassador Ashraf Jehangir Qazi to represent him during negotiations to be held with the US government for TIFA agreement.