Obama to sign Pakistan aid bill

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama signed legislation on Thursday that triples non-military aid to Pakistan to about $7.5 billion over the next five years, the White House said.

Obama signed the bill, which has come under fierce criticism in Pakistan, without fanfare before leaving on a trip to New Orleans.

"This law is the tangible manifestation of broad support for Pakistan in the U.S., as evidenced by its bipartisan, bicameral, unanimous passage in Congress," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.

Obama signed the legislation after his administration and U.S. lawmakers sought to allay concerns in Pakistan over conditions linked to billions of dollars in U.S. aid, while making clear the legislation would not be changed.

Gibbs said Obama wants to engage Pakistan on the basis of a strategic partnership "grounded in support for Pakistan's democratic institutions and the Pakistani people."

"This act formalizes that partnership, based on a shared commitment to improving the living conditions of the people of Pakistan through sustainable economic development, strengthening democracy and the rule of law, and combating the extremism that threatens Pakistan and the United States," he said.

(Reporting by Steve Holland, Editing by Sandra Maler)