US defence secretary to press Pakistan

ISLAMABAD // The US defense secretary Robert Gates made an unannounced trip to Pakistan today hoping to deepen ties and persuade the US ally to root out all militants, including Afghan Taliban factions. Mr Gates, on his first visit to Pakistan since President Barack Obama took office last year, told reporters he would also attempt to persuade a sceptical nation that Washington aimed to be an ally "for the long-haul".

Islamabad has mounted big offensives against Pakistani Taliban factions that are attacking the state but has resisted US pressure to attack Afghan Taliban in border enclaves who do not attack in Pakistan but cross the border to fight US troops. Pakistan has said it has its hands full with the Pakistani Taliban and cannot open too many fronts at the same time. But analysts have said Pakistan sees the Afghan Taliban as tools to counter the growing influence of old rival India in Afghanistan and as potential allies in Afghanistan if US forces withdraw and, as many Pakistanis fear, leave the country in chaos.

"What I hope to talk about with my interlocutors is this notion and the reality that you can't ignore one part of this cancer and pretend that it won't have some impact closer to home," Mr Gates told reporters travelling with him from India. Gates said in India yesterday that New Delhi may lose its diplomatic restraint with Pakistan in the event of any repeat of a Mumbai-style attack, and militants in the region may use this to provoke the two rivals to war.

Pakistan and the United States have been allies for years but ties have been strained by US calls for Pakistan to do more to stop militants crossing from its lawless ethnic Pashtun border lands to fight in Afghanistan. Mr Gates, referring to a "trust deficit" between the United States and Pakistan, said in a commentary published in a Pakistani newspaper today that the United States wanted to relinquish grievances of the past held by both sides.

The US was committed to a stable, long-term, strategic partnership with a democratic Pakistan, he said. America is sending 30,000 more soldiers to Afghanistan, and Pakistan is worried that will lead to a spillover of fighting across the border. * Reuters

Teaching your child to save

Pre-school (three - five years)

You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.

Early childhood (six - eight years)

Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.

Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)

Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.

Young teens (12 - 14 years)

Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.

Teenage (15 - 18 years)

Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.

Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)

Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.

* JP Morgan Private Bank

US defence secretary to press Pakistan

Robert Gates made an unannounced trip to Pakistan hoping to deepen ties and persuade the US ally to root out all militants, including Afghan Taliban factions.

Teaching your child to save