The United States should bolster its economic and security assistance for Pakistan to help the key regional country ride out economic and terrorism problems, former speaker of the National Assembly Syed Fakhar Imam said. In a roundtable discussion at Washingtons Atlantic Council, the prominent PPP leader welcomed the Obama Administration-backed Congressional move to expand socio-economic assistance for Pakistan to $ 1.5 billion annually. However, Imam told the gathering of top security and foreign policy experts that Islamabad requires more support both in economic and security fields as it grapples with the two massive challenges simultaneously. Pakistan has been incurring hefty losses about $ six billion annually - due to ongoing fight against terrorism and economic downturn and, therefore, needs about four to five billion dollars annually for budgetary support, he pointed out. Pakistan needs more for budgetary support, the Friends of Pakistan can provide assistance, the US could play a more pro-active role in this, he said at the discussion moderated by Shuja Nawaz, Director of the Councils South Asian Center. Former Pakistani ambassador to the United States, Syeda Abida Hussain also attended the discussion. Fakhar Imam spoke days after the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives passed their respective versions of legislations on tripling economic aid for Pakistan to $ 1.5 billion for each of the next five years. The two chambers will now reconcile their versions before a final measure is sent to President Barack Obama for his signature. Washington is also helping Pakistan in dealing with humanitarian crisis of displaced persons. He said the Kerry-Lugar legislation is a welcome development, as it signals the US intent to broaden its relationship with Pakistan to the Pakistani people in contrast with the past policy which centered around security concerns. In the context of dealing with insurgents in tribal areas, the former minister said Islamabad should be provided necessary security equipment like night vision goggles, modern communication technology, helicopters and training to contain militancy in its troubled northwestern areas. He also discussed the immediate issues including rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons of Swat and observed addressing the question would have a bearing on the national political consensus that currently exists in the country on getting rid of violent extremism. This is a very crucial question to Pakistans future, he remarked, underscoring the importance of world support and Pakistans own effective response to the mammoth task to rehabilitate millions of people displaced from Swat and other parts of Malakand division. These people left their homes in the wake military offensive launched about two months ago to clear the area of Taliban militants. The politician also touched on the vital significance of the supremacy of the parliament, mainstreaming the militancy-hit tribal areas and participation of politicians in redressing the situation there. He said Pakistan had agreements with the people of tribal areas and faced no serious problems there before the pre-9/11 era. On utilization of the U.S. socio-economic assistance under Kerry Lugar legislation, he opined that it should be directed toward improvement in the key education, health, population, water and agriculture sectors to the benefit of people at local level. In her remarks, Syeda Abida Hussain, drew attention to the socio-economic challenges facing Pakistan. The former minister particularly emphasized the need for Pakistan to address its burgeoning population growth. The issue, she said, could best be approached through a policy that takes into account a host of pertinent issues, particularly the resources available to future generations.