Washington, Dec 28: Pakistan’s ambassador to the US Mahmud Ali Durrani is confident of continued flow of American assistance despite the recent Congressional restriction placed on a portion of counter terrorism fund.

Commenting on last week’s US legislation, Durrani said: "We certainly are not comfortable with the restriction — but in all fairness the restriction is such that it does not affect the flow of assistance in any form or matter. "

President George W Bush on Wednesday signed into law the 555 billion dollars Omnibus Appropriation Bill that contains assistance for foreign countries, funding for Iraq and Afghanistan wars as well as several domestic spending.

Durrani said the Bush Administration greatly values Pakistani anti-terror efforts over the years and acknowledges the sacrifices it has made.

He said the US assistance extended to Pakistan over the years has been spent on fighting terrorism and enhancing the country’s counter terrorism ability.

"Basically, we are fighting this war for the soul of Pakistan — we want a Pakistan in line with the vision of the founding father, which is a moderate country at peace with itself, the region and the rest of the world, " The News quoted Durrani, as saying.

He brushed aside as "speculative and untrue" a story in The New York Times that alleged diversion of counter terrorism assistance.

Durrani reminded that Pakistan has achieved notable success in combating terrorism despite the fact that it continues to suffer from the blowback effects of wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Taking exception to the allegation in the story that some of the bills for services had been inflated, Durrani said the bills are thoroughly checked by both Pakistan and American officials.

"This is untrue; this does not reflect the view of the Pentagon and it does not represent the view of the US Administration, " he added. (ANI)