Japan threatens to slash Pak aid

Supporters of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto shout anti-Musharraf slogans near the Bhutto residence during a protest in Lahore yesterday. Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto called on the international community to stop backing Pervez Musharraf, telling AFP on November 13 it was time for him to quit as president and army chief. Photo: AFP

Major donor Japan warned yesterday it may cut aid to Pakistan after the military regime declared emergency rule and placed a key opposition leader under house arrest.
"I have concerns about the current situation in Pakistan. We've been considering increasing official development aid to Pakistan as the country was thought be in the democratisation process and was making efforts in the 'war on terror,'" Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura told reporters.
"But we may have to examine carefully whether to increase the amount of aid at this point while closely watching the democratisation process in the country," he said.
Asked if Japan may cut its current aid to Pakistan, the foreign minister said: "We'll consider every option."