Washington, April 10: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said that since there is a democratically elected government in Pakistan, the US assistance to Pakistan stands immediately resumed.

Rice made this statement while testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee.

She also issued a notification on resumption of security assistance to Pakistan since a law curbing such aid could no longer be in effect after return of democracy in that country.

Last month, President George Bush had waived the restriction to pave the way for 300 million dollar security assistance to Pakistan.

“Pursuant to the authority vested in me as Secretary of State - I hereby determine and certify that subsequent to the termination of assistance to the Government of Pakistan after a military coup on October 12, 1999, a democratically elected government has taken office in Pakistan as of March 25, 2008, permitting immediate resumption of assistance. I direct that this Determination be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress,” the notification said, according to US Federal Register.
(ANI)