Pakistan’s Ambassador to the U.S. Hussain Haqqani has said he has not been fired and “doesn’t expect to be”, due to an ongoing controversy over stringent conditions attached to American aid to be provided under the Kerry-Lugar bill.
“I serve at the pleasure of the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan and will follow any instructions I’ve been given...So far I’ve not been asked to alter my responsibilities nor have any questions been raised about my conduct,” said Mr. Haqqani.
In an interview with the website of a leading U.S. magazine, Mr. Haqqani made it clear that he had not been fired and “doesn’t expect to be”, due to the fallout in Pakistan over the Kerry-Lugar bill, which envisages providing $7.5 billion in aid over five years.
The Pakistan Army has expressed “serious concern” about condition attached to the U.S. aid that it claims could affect the country’s security interests.
Opposition parties have criticised the Pakistan People’s Party-led government’s efforts to endorse the bill without seeking changes in the conditions.