The Deputy Prime Minister will on Wednesday visit Pakistan, the most senior Coalition minister to do so since David Cameron angered the country's government by suggesting it turned a blind eye to some forms of terrorism.
The Daily Telegraph has learned that as part of the continuing spat over the Prime Minister's remarks, Pakistan's intelligence agency has blocked an offer of British military aid for millions of flood victims. RAF planes have flown emergency aid supplies into Pakistan, but sources in Islamabad and London have confirmed that the Inter Services Institute has blocked any role for British forces on the ground in the country.
The Ministry of Defence offered to send teams to help distribute aid to the 17 million people affected by weeks of monsoon rains. It is understood the offer included logistics support and medical personnel. Sources said the UK had made an "open-ended" offer of assistance.
More than a million homes were destroyed by flood waters that have left behind a desperate humanitarian emergency in Pakistan. Some 800,000 people are still beyond the reach of aid agencies.
The United Nations has appealed repeatedly for more helicopters to help ferry food, clean water and medicine to villages unreachable by road.
Australia, Japan and Afghanistan have all sent military helicopters or doctors.
Even the US – viewed with hostility by many Pakistanis for its war on terror – has 300 servicemen on the ground, running 15 Navy and Marine heavy lift helicopters in the country and four cargo planes. But no British personnel are operating in the affected areas because of Pakistani anger at Mr Cameron's comments.
By: Brant
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