The United States agreed today to help Pakistan rebuild key parts of its infrastructure as it works to improve lives in the South Asian nation, a critical ally in the ongoing war against terrorism, according to dpa. US and Pakistani officials signed a 40-million-dollar preliminary deal to upgrade critical roads in Pakistan's north-western Swat Valley, where the Pakistani military has been waging a campaign to oust al-Qaeda and Taliban militants over the last year. The deal came on the second day of a "strategic dialogue" held in Washington between US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, to strengthen ties and expand relations beyond US goals in the war on terrorism. The United States "reaffirmed its resolve to assist Pakistan overcome socio-economic challenges by providing technical and economic assistance," according to a statement released by the two sides. The countries promised increased cooperation on economic and energy development, as well as in education, agriculture and water supplies. The dialogue included top officials from the US and Pakistani militaries and other government officials.
