WASHINGTON, Jan 20: America`s civilian assistance to Pakistan continues and has not been interrupted since the tragic November 26 incident, the US State Department said on Friday.

`We consider bilateral US civilian assistance to be an important component of the relationship (with Pakistan) and believe it can help Pakistan become a more prosperous, stable, and democratic state, which serves the national interests of both the United States and Pakistan, said a statement issued by the office of the State Department`s spokesman.

The statement noted that the United States remained committed to a strong, mutually respectful relationship with Pakistan.

The State Department pointed out that since the passage of the Kerry-Lugar-Berman legislation in October 2009, the US government had disbursed $2.2 billion in civilian assistance, including approximately $550 million in emergency humanitarian assistance.

In fiscal year 2011 specifically, the US disbursed approximately $855 million (not including any emergency humanitarian assistance).

US non-humanitarian civilian assistance funds were spent in five priority sectors: energy, economic growth, stabilisation of the border regions, education, and health.

Notably, in 2011 the United States supported the construction of 210 kilometres of road in Fata and KhyberPakhtunkhwa, funded the world`s largest Fulbright exchange programme, and sponsored initiatives promoting private sector growth and civil society development inPakistan, the State Department said.

In an earlier briefing, the department`s spokesperson Victoria Nuland said US officials had seen reports that Pakistan had agreed to reopen NATO supply routes to Afghanistan but was waiting for official confirmation.

Responding to another question, she said that former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf had not requested a meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, although media reports said that he had and was seeking guarantees against a possible arrest in Pakistan.

The State Department official, however, refused to comment on reports that the retired general would be arrested if he returned. `Our view is that this complex of issues is an internal matter for Pakistan,` she said.