Awami National Party (ANP) Chief Asfandyar Wali Khan on Friday acknowledged Washington's financial support for people of war-affected Swat Valley and termed the initiative as a positive step to ensure rehabilitation of the victim families.
"We appreciate the visit of US Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke to Swat and his government's humanitarian assistance for social uplift and infrastructure development in the area," Asfandyar said while talking to journalists at the Parliament House.
He said the commitments made by the US administration to rehabilitate war-torn Valley was a sign that the United States was serious in helping Pakistan to defeat the militants.
The ANP chief said during a meeting of Holbrooke with Pakistani parliamentarians he conveyed the acknowledgement of the US aid. However, concerns over US predator attacks in Pakistani territories and new screening policy were also expressed during the meeting, he added.
Holbrooke visited Swat on Thursday and expressed satisfaction over the achievements made by Pakistan Army in operation Rah-e-Raast in the Malakand division. He also pledged to a delegation of local representatives that his government would not leave Pakistan alone at this critical juncture and would help in the reconstruction of area and the rehabilitation of victims of militancy.