US Cong panel nod to terms on Pak aid

A key US Congressional Committee on Thursday overwhelmingly passed a bill that imposes conditions on Pakistan for receiving American economic and military aid,which will depend on the action Islamabad takes against terrorists and the menace of IEDs.

The Defense Authorization Act 2013,which determines the defence budget for the fiscal 2013,was approved by the powerful House Armed Services Committee on Thursday morning.

The action clears the way for consideration of the bill by the full House next week.

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The bill prohibits the preferential procurement of goods or services from Pakistan till Islamabad re-opens the crucial NATO supply routes to Afghanistan.

Meanwhile,Pakistan PM Yousuf Raza Gilani has said his nation was still operating on a trust deficit with Washington. Gilani is on a five-day official visit to London.