Pakistan has welcomed a US decision to name it a major non-NATO ally by saying it would bolster defence ties with Washington.
As a major non-NATO ally, Pakistan can use US funding to lease some defence items and will become eligible for loans for military supplies for research and development projects.
It would also be eligible to buy depleted uranium ammunition, to have US-owned military stockpiles on its territory outside US bases and receive US military training on easier financial terms.
However, the designation does not confer the mutual defence and security guarantees enjoyed by NATO members. Analysts also said the new status may not affect the arms balance with neighbouring India.
The US imposed sanctions on Pakistan after it conducted nuclear tests in 1998, but most were lifted in the wake of the September 11th, 2001, attacks on the United States, when Pakistan became a key US ally.
Pakistan supported the US-led war on the Afghan Taliban militia and has launched a series of operations in the semi-autonomous tribal belt aimed at flushing out Islamic militants.
The status of major non-NATO ally is also held by Australia, Bahrain, Israel, South Korea and Morocco.