The United States released more than $1.6 billion in military and economic aid to Pakistan, news reports said. The relations were strained since Navy Seals led a covert raid, which killed al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in the military town of Abbottabad, Pakistan in May, 2011.

The announcement comes as Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan's new prime minister, traveled to Washington for talks. He is expected to meet with President Obama on Wednesday. This is Sharif's first visit to Washington since being elected as Pakistan's prime minister.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Sharif met with Secretary of State John Kerry.

"We have a lot to talk about, and the relationship with Pakistan could not be more important. On its own, (Pakistan is) a democracy that is working hard to gets its economy moving and deal with insurgency, and also important to the regional stability," Kerry said.

The Pakistani prime minister did not speak during the session with reporters, according to The Associated Press.

In the summer, the State Department and the US Agency for International Development informed Congress that it planned to restart a wide range of assistance, which was mostly dedicated to helping Pakistan fight terrorism. Other funds are focused on a range of items, including help for Pakistani law enforcement and a multi billion dollar dam in 'disputed' territory, news reports said.