US not assisting Qadri: Hoagland

The United States Deputy Chief of Mission, Ambassador Richard Hoagland, on Saturday said his country was not assisting Dr Tahirul Qadri for his political activities and long march. Talking to journalists, Hoagland said the US does not help political parties or individuals.
“We support free and fair elections all over the world. There have been reports in the media that Dr Tahirul Qadri had come to Pakistan with the assistance of foreign powers in order to delay the elections. This is not true,” he said. In a reply to a question, the deputy chief of the mission said it is for the government of Pakistan to decide whether or not to launch an operation in North Waziristan. “The US is against terrorism and would continue efforts to eliminate the menace,” he added.
Richard Hoagland said Pakistan and US were not satisfied with the existing arrangement for the release of Coalition Support Fund (CSF). He said it is yet to be decided how the fund is to be released. The Ambassador went on to describe other US government programs which supported entrepreneurs, including efforts to form partnerships among American and Pakistani universities so that Pakistani startups can obtain practical advice from seasoned industry leaders in the US.
Another US program, the Pakistan Firms Project, helps to increase the profitability and incomes of small and medium-sized enterprises in vulnerable areas by identifying and removing constraints in key areas such as agriculture, livestock, minerals, and tourism.
“The United States has also recently launched Pakistan Private Investment Initiative which will spur job growth and economic development by promoting small-to medium-sized companies,” he said.