US to ensure 'each and every dollar' of Pak aid is spent in transparent way: Holbrooke India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

US Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke has made it clear that the Obama Administration, before granting any aid to Pakistan, wants to ensure that every penny of the assistance is spent transparently and on the uplift of the people of that country. Interacting with media persons after attending a meeting of the Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP) here, Holbrooke said Washington wants to help Islamabad in its fight against violence and terrorism, but underlined that it would also make all efforts to ensure that the aid being provided is used exactly for the purpose it is given. "Getting money from the US was an easy task. We want to help the people of Pakistan who suffered badly due to continuous violence and terrorism, it will make all-out efforts that 'each and every dollar' is spent in a transparent way," Holbrooke said. Earlier, in his address to the FoDP, President Barack Obama said that Washington wants to help Pakistan overcome all the crises it is facing currently. Obama said the US would also work with the Pakistani government so that the assistance reaches the people who need it the most. "We know that there are difficult challenges ahead. But that is why we must remain focused, we must be committed, and we must stay together. As Pakistan makes progress, the United States will be there as a partner. And we will continue to work with President Zardari, Prime Minister Brown, and all of the nations and organisations in this room on behalf of the future that the Pakistani people deserve," The News quoted Obama, as saying.