U.S. urged to fast track reimbursement

NEW YORK, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari urged the United States to fast track reimbursement of $1.6 billion Pakistan spent fighting extremism in its tribal regions.

The money comes from a U.S.-funded anti-extremist special account called the Coalition Support Fund.

Zardari brought up the reimbursement request during his meeting in New York with U.S. Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

The Dawn newspaper reported Pakistan has not been paid for more than a year.

Zardari also called for speedy realization of about $6 billion in pledges made in Tokyo this year by international donors to help Pakistan resolve its economic crisis.

Zardari said these steps are needed to speed up Pakistan's development and rebuild the infrastructure as a peace dividend to people affected by the fight against militancy, the news agency said.

A spokesman also quoted Zardari as saying Pakistan needs expanded access to U.S. markets under a conflict-affected special category program.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is scheduled to visit Pakistan next month.