Washington: Expressing concern over Islamabad's lack of commitment to America's objectives in Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan, a US Congressional committee has called for meeting 'benchmarks' in combating terrorism.
Appropriations committees in the Senate as well as in the House have proposed tougher conditions for US aid - both military and economic - to Pakistan and called for meeting benchmarks for progress in the fight against terrorism.
Passing the annual appropriations bill for the State Department for the year 2018, the Senate Appropriations Committee said it "remains concerned with the (lack of) commitment by Pakistan to US strategic objectives in the region, including combating terrorism".
The appropriations bill passed by the two committees last week landed in the Senate and the House of Representatives this week. The Senate Appropriations Committee recommended $372 million in assistance for Pakistan. Prior fiscal year carryover funds for assistance for Pakistan are projected to total more than $1 billion.
This in reality, the projected funding for Pakistan in the fiscal year 2018 could be more than $1.4 billion, according to Senate Appropriations Committee report.
While there are tough conditions for US aid to Pakistan, these can be waived by the Secretary of State under the national interest up to 75 per cent of the allocated fund on Pakistan's cooperation on counter terrorism efforts against the Haqqani Network and other extremists. Last year it was 95 per cent of the allocated funds, according to a report of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The appropriations bill continues to withhold $33 million of funds made available for assistance to Pakistan until the Secretary of State reports to the Committee that Shakil Afridi has been released from prison and cleared of all charges related to the assistance provided to the United States in locating Osama bin Laden.
For all aid to Pakistan, as usual the Secretary of State is required to give certification to the US Congress that Islamabad is cooperating with the United States in counter terrorism efforts against the Haqqani Network, the Quetta Shura Taliban, Lashkar e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Al-Qaeda, and other domestic and foreign terrorist organisations.
This also includes taking effective steps to end support for such groups and prevent them from basing and operating in Pakistan and carrying out cross border attacks in neighbouring countries.
The US Secretary of State also needs to give certification that the Government of Pakistan is not supporting terrorist activities against United States or coalition forces in Afghanistan, and Pakistan's military and intelligence agencies are not intervening extra-judicially into political and judicial processes in Pakistan.
The certification also includes that Pakistan is not financing or otherwise supporting schools supported by, affiliated with, or run by the Taliban or any designated foreign terrorist organisation; and is preventing the proliferation of nuclear related material and expertise.
"The Secretary of State should suspend assistance" if Pakistan fails to meet these benchmarks.
Appropriations committees in the Senate as well as in the House have proposed tougher conditions for US aid - both military and economic - to Pakistan and called for meeting benchmarks for progress in the fight against terrorism.
Passing the annual appropriations bill for the State Department for the year 2018, the Senate Appropriations Committee said it "remains concerned with the (lack of) commitment by Pakistan to US strategic objectives in the region, including combating terrorism".
This in reality, the projected funding for Pakistan in the fiscal year 2018 could be more than $1.4 billion, according to Senate Appropriations Committee report.
Advertisement
The appropriations bill continues to withhold $33 million of funds made available for assistance to Pakistan until the Secretary of State reports to the Committee that Shakil Afridi has been released from prison and cleared of all charges related to the assistance provided to the United States in locating Osama bin Laden.
Advertisement
This also includes taking effective steps to end support for such groups and prevent them from basing and operating in Pakistan and carrying out cross border attacks in neighbouring countries.
Advertisement
The certification also includes that Pakistan is not financing or otherwise supporting schools supported by, affiliated with, or run by the Taliban or any designated foreign terrorist organisation; and is preventing the proliferation of nuclear related material and expertise.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
"We Hope Any Country On Planet Condemns...": US On India-Pak Ties Pak's Anti-Terror Court Judge Says Spy Agency ISI Harassing Him, Family Jammu and Kashmir DGP Accuses Pakistan of Disturbing Peace, Vows Strong Response 'Entire NEET Paper Solved In 45 Minutes Before Exam?': Top Court To Centre "Had God On My Side": Donald Trump Recounts Being Shot At During Rally 32 Dead In Bangladesh Unrest, Protesters Set Fire To State TV Headquarters "Every Time I Try To Eat Healthy" - Video Creator's Editing Skills Amaze Internet Watch: Comedian's Wholesome Interaction With Indian-Origin Woman Is Viral Donald Trump Accepts Republican Nomination Amid Chants Of USA From Crowd Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.