Pakistan yet to decide on accepting aid from India

Pakistan today said it welcomed India's offer of $5 million in aid to flood victims in that country and that the government is considering the proposal, but said no decision has been made in this regard.

"We appreciate the gesture by India. Their offer has been conveyed to relevant authorities and the matter is under consideration," foreign office spokesman Abdul Basit told reporters today.

The statement comes after prime minister Manmohan Singh called his counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani offering more assistance to flood victims in the wake of a second wave of deluge.

The prime minister said the Government of India had already made an offer of assistance and was ready to do more to assist in the relief effort.

Manhohan said that in such times of natural disasters all of South Asia should rise to the occasion and extend every possible help to the people of Pakistan affected by the tragedy.

Asked about the US administration's stand that Pakistan should accept the aid from India, Basit said: "Pakistan is a sovereign country and we will take a decision according to what we believe is the right thing to do."