Pakistan’s ambassador to the US, Hussain Haqqani, has proposed a Marshall plan worth $30 billion to the US for fighting terrorism in Pakistan and Afghanistan over the next five years. According to a news post, Mr. Haqqani told the esteemed daily The Washington Post that the cost of fighting terrorism was more affordable for the US than the bailouts given to the auto industry.

Mr. Haqqani has also pointed to the significant impact of the proposed Marshall plan on American security and on the stability of the Pak-Afghan region in the long term. Besides reinforcing security systems, part of the funds sought for the plan will be spent in persuading the public on supporting war against terror. Mr. Haqqani also denied the reports that the Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) was supporting the Taliban. In his words, ‘the era of active support for jihadis (holy warriors) is over.’

The current war on terror, led by the US, is closely focused on the tribal/FATA region of Pakistan. On Wednesday (April 08, 2009), US Vice President Joe Biden claimed that Osama Bin Laden, along with other Al Qaeda leaders, was hiding in FATA. US officials have also shared their news of Taliban extremists moving into big cities in Pakistan in order to save themselves from drone strikes on FATA. Some reports mention that Binori Mosque in Karachi is serving as the funding and training center of Taliban.