ISLAMABAD, Jan 24: The opening of AID mission in Pakistan indicates the United States’ long-term commitment to the Pakistani people, said US AID administrator Andrew Natsios.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, he said the purpose of his visit was to prepare for the opening of a new US AID mission in Pakistan, which was closed in early 1990s.

He said despite the closure of the mission, the US maintained a minimum programme of about $7 million.

The US AID administrator said primarily the mission’s emphasis would be on health and education sectors.

To a question, he said we have made no final decision about the size of the programme and added that the US had a deep interest in rural development as three quarters of the poor of the world lived in rural areas.

About 65 to 70 per cent of Pakistanis live in rural areas due to which emphasis would be laid on rural development.

He appreciated President Musharraf’s speech in the Human Development Conference, saying “the things he has spoken about are the things that we do frequently in other countries.”—APP