The United States today gave 4.5 million dollars worth of communication equipment to Pakistan to help in its crackdown on Al Qaeda and Taliban militants, saying it was “satisfied” with Islamabad’s commitment to the war on terrorism.US Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca, who wrapped up her three-day visit to Pakistan with a meeting with President Pervez Musharraf, presented some 8000 pieces of equipment to the Interior Ministry.‘‘We fully trust Pakistan government and they are very much with us in the war against terrorism,’’ she told reporters after handing over the equipment as part of a $73 million assistance.She also referred to the arrest of some 420 Al Qaeda elements in Pakistan and said, ‘‘this is something that Pakistan has done in its own interest. It is not just for the US that it is doing it.’’Earlier Rocca said Pakistan so far handed over 400 Taliban and Al Qaeda militants caught here to US during the last one year, since 9 Rocca also said President Musharraf had assured US that Pakistan was not helping North Korea in its nuclear programme. Musharraf had made the assurances by telephone to US Secretary of State Colin Powell, and ‘‘offered 400 percent that nothing is happening,’’ Rocca told reporters.Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat denied reports that the FBI carried out operations in Pakistan, saying FBI is only sharing intelligence. (PTI)
