ISLAMABAD, Jan 17: The United States Secretary of State, Colin Powell, announced on Thursday that the United States had decided to reopen the mission of the US Agency for International Aid and Development in Pakistan.

Mr Powell made the announcement during his brief stopover at Chaklala airforce base on his return from Kabul.

“I am pleased to announce that USAID is finalizing its plan to reopen its mission in Islamabad,” he said before boarding his special plane to visit New Delhi.

Resumption of USAID mission will allow the US government to target its assistance programme to areas identified by the government of Pakistan as priority areas, including education, health and human development.

Mr Powell characterized the re-opining of USAID mission as a growing cooperation between the US and Pakistan. “We look forward to working more closely with Pakistan in its economic and social development,” he said.