Clinton: Rich Pakistanis should pay more

BRUSSELS, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says affluent Pakistanis should do more to help the country recover from recent floods.

"It's absolutely unacceptable for those with means in Pakistan not to be doing their fair share to help their own people while taxpayers in Europe, the United States and other contributing countries are all chipping in," Clinton said in Brussels, the BBC reported.

Pakistan is trying to recover from this summer's floods that killed 2,000 people and affected another 20 million.

The country also needs to reform its tax system, Clinton said.

"The most important step Pakistan can take is to pass meaningful reforms to expand its tax base," Clinton said. "The government must require that the economically affluent and elite support the government and people of Pakistan."

The European Union and the United States have each pledged $450 million in flood aid, the BBC said.

The floods were caused by heavier than usual monsoon rains in July and inundated about 20 percent of the country, destroying or damaging nearly 2 million homes, the report said.