US doubles amount of aid Pakistan rejected last year

The United States is offering Pakistan about $500 million in weapons sales credits and economic aid for next year, more than twice the amount Pakistan rejected last year, US officials said. The aid package, which Pakistan has not yet accepted, is part of the Reagan administration's plan to build up the defenses of pro-Western countries in the Gulf region in response to the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan.

Pakistani President Zia ul-Haq last year rejected as "peanuts" the Carter administration offer of $400 million in economic and military aid.