Senator John Kerry and Representative Howard Berman, who head the committees handling foreign relations in Congress's two chambers, gave Qureshi a document stating that the plan did not impose conditions or infringe on sovereignty.
"This document today is I think a historic document, a step forward in our relationship," Qureshi told a joint news conference with Kerry and Berman. "I am going back to Pakistan to tell my parliament and conclude the debate on the note that our relationship can move forward - we will deepen it and we will strengthen it," Qureshi said.
He said the willingness of US lawmakers and administration officials "to take the time out to alleviate the fears of Pakistan, I think speaks volumes of the intent behind this legislation." The bill aims to build schools, roads and democratic institutions in Pakistan, part of a two-pronged policy by President Barack Obama to discredit extremists in the nation and neighbouring Afghanistan.
The statement said the package was meant "to forge a closer collaborative relationship between Pakistan and the United States, not to dictate the national policy or impinge on the sovereignty of Pakistan in any way." "Any interpretation of this act which suggests that the United States does not fully recognise and respect the sovereignty of Pakistan would be directly contrary to congressional intent," it said.
Kerry told reporters the package marked "a true sign of friendship with the people of Pakistan, even at a time that Americans are going through economic difficulties." He contended the statement would carry the force of law as it would be attached to legislation when Obama signs it. The White House said Tuesday that Obama would sign the legislation "soon" but has not specified a date.
The document is known as a joint explanatory statement, which is routinely issued to shed light on how the Senate and the House resolve differences. Experts said that such statements generally only explain the background of a law without affecting it, but they are rarely issued so long after Congress approves legislation.
The statement references the existing legislation, while explaining points that are of concern to Pakistan. The explanatory statement says the United States wants to work with Islamabad to improve "border security and control and help prevent any Pakistani territory from being used as a base or conduit for terrorist attacks in Pakistan, or elsewhere."