UN seeks aid for Pakistanis

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations appealed yesterday for $537 million in aid for hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis affected by military offensives against Al-Qaida-linked militants.

Fighting in northwest Pakistan forced about three million people from their homes last year, posing a serious problem for the government of the US ally where many people have been sceptical of backing the US-led campaign against militancy.

The appeal was made for assistance over the next six months to cover the most immediate humanitarian needs of people forced from their homes and those who have returned, said the UN humanitarian coordinator for Pakistan, Martin Mogwanja.