Obama signs Pakistan partnership bill

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- A bill that formalizes the strategic U.S.-Pakistani partnership was signed into law Thursday by U.S. President Obama, the White House said.

The Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009, "is a tangible manifestation of broad support for Pakistan in the U.S., as evidenced by its bipartisan, bicameral, unanimous passage in Congress," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a statement.

Gibbs said the measure builds upon Obama's remarks that the United States wants a partnership with Pakistan that is "grounded in support for Pakistan's institutions and the Pakistani people."

The partnership formalized in the act is based a shared commitment to improve living conditions in Pakistan through economic development strengthened democracy and combating extremists, Gibbs said.