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Pakistan has sought 500,000 tonnes of wheat from the United States and is also on the verge of receiving $500 million from the World Bank to deal with the food and energy crisis that is gripping the country. The 500,000 tonnes of wheat will be provided under PL-480, a US food assistance programme set up for the world’s poorest states unable to feed their people.
Richard Boucher, US Assistant Secretary of State revealed Pakistan’s plans to seek financial and food assistance. Boucher, over the weekend stated that Pakistan is talking to the World Bank about the loans and help and the US is involved in that as well. He further expressed America’s desire to help democratic process in Pakistan.
According to sources, a delegation comprising officials of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund visited Islamabad last month for talks on a $500 million development-support credit. Pakistan also appealed for food assistance earlier this month when MB Abassi visited Washington as a special envoy of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani. Boucher had also recently remarked that Pakistan is dealing with some immediate problems and the US is looking at problems like food and financial issues and seeing what can be done.
