US to set 8216;benchmarks8217; for aid to Pak

8220;So we have said,we will provide and would like to provide USD 1.5 billion over a five-year period to Pakistan,but,clearly,we want there 8211; we are going to establish benchmarks. We want to see certain standards and goals met,8221; Wood said.

8220;That8217;s something you would expect that we would we would be willing do,8221; Wood said in response to a question.

The US-Pakistan relations have strained in recent times as Islamabad and Washington have differences over number of issues including drone attacks in NWFP and India8217;s enhanced role in Afghanistan.

Pakistan also went ahead to implement the 8220;peace deal8221; with the Taliban in the Swat Valley against the wishes of the Obama Administration.