Pakistan weighing US aid cut offshoot

LAHORE - Pakistan is evaluating the impact of anticipated cutoff of American aid on countrys economy in the eventuality of its likely disengagement from the war on terror. In the cabinet meeting held in Lahore on Tuesday, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani asked secretary finance to weigh the impact of US aid suspension on different sectors of country and give a detailed briefing to the cabinet in its next meeting. This was told by Federal Minister for Information, Dr Firdous Aashiq Awan while talking to reporters at a local hotel on Tuesday evening. She further said that though the finance secretary gave a broad outline of the likely impact of US aid cutoff on countrys economy, he was asked to come up with a comprehensive plan on the issue in the next cabinet meeting so that some decision could be taken accordingly. Talking about cabinets decision to boycott the Bonn Conference, she said that it marked a turning point in Pakistans foreign policy. Replying to a question, she said it was a consensus decision, as it enjoyed the backing of all allied parties represented in the cabinet. To another question, Firdous said the Parliamentary Committee on National Security which had been entrusted the task of formulation recommendations on the issue in question comprised 17 parliamentarians taken from all major political parties having representation in the Parliament.

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