Lahore, Nov 10 (IANS) Pakistan should strengthen its relations with China and not accept aid from the US as it may “take us to the verge of disaster”, a minister said here.
Federal Minister for Science and Technology Azam Sawati said that Pakistan should enhance its relations with China instead of accepting aid from the US, as this aid may take the country to the verge of disaster, The News reported Tuesday.

While addressing officials of the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research laboratories during a day-long visit Monday, Sawati said American aid would completely destroy the country’s institutions and hence Pakistan should turn it down.

He said the masses could be pacified by enhancing the political and economic relations with China.

He suggested that the country should have gas and oil from Iran in order to curb the current energy crisis in the country.

The minister said that China is an all time friend which will definitely help the country come out of the current power and energy crises as well as address other economic issues.

Pakistani senators last month had urged the government to withdraw from the Kerry Lugar bill that places conditionalities on the US aid to the country.

The senators said the government should withdraw from the bill as parliament as well as the public were not supportive of the agreement.

The bill provides unconditional non-military US assistance to Pakistan but imposes conditions for military aid.