“We are closely monitoring corruption in Pakistan”: Holbrooke

ISLAMABAD - The US has its reservations over the growing corruption in Pakistan and is monitoring it closely, the US Special Ambassador for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke has said.

“We are closely monitoring corruption in Pakistan”, The Nation quoted Holbrooke, as saying in an exclusive chat with a TV channel.

He said that the United States knew that the recent floods had played havoc in Pakistan and would provide 500 million dollars to Pakistan under the Kerry-Lugar Bill, adding that the US wants that the aid should be utilized transparently.

Talking about a military offensive in the North Waziristan region, Holbrooke denied any US pressure on Pakistan for launching an operation there, and said that Pakistan’s Army chief, General Ashfaque Pervez Kayani, would take the decision about the operation.

Replying a question about New Delhi’s UNSC bid, the US envoy said that permanent membership of the UN Security Council for India was difficult.

Holbrooke also said that the US wanted to keep its troops in Afghanistan for the next four years. He denied that his country was holding talks with the Taliban, but added that the United States would welcome the dialogue between the Afghan government and the Taliban. (ANI)