US Senate blocks $300 million aid to Pakistan, puts conditions

The United States Senate has moved to block $300 million (Rs 2,017 crore) military aid to Pakistan unless the defence secretary certifies that the country is taking demonstrable steps against the dreaded Haqqani Network terror outfit. This forms part of the National Defence Authorisation Act-2017 passed by the Senate 85-13 votes on Wednesday.

Notably Defence Secretary Ashton Carter is yet to give the necessary certification to Pakistan for a similar legislation passed by the Congress last year under NDAA-2016. As a result, the Pentagon has not been able to release $300 million of Coalition Support Fund to Pakistan for the fiscal year 2015-2016 ending September 30 this year.

However, the Senate version of the NDAA differs with that of the House, which calls for blocking $450 million (Rs 3,026 crore) of the $900 million (Rs 6,052 crore) US aid to Pakistan in coalition support fund. The Senate version has reduced both the figures respectively to $300 million and $800 million.

Ahead of the Senate voting on NDAA-2017, the White House had opposed any such move. “We share concerns regarding the threat posed to our forces and interests in Afghanistan by the Haqqani Network, and we continue to engage with Pakistan at the highest levels regarding the need for concerted action specifically against the group,” the White House said in a statement on June 8.

The White House had made similar objections to the House version of the National Defence Authorisation Act. Since 2002, the United States has disbursed $12 billion (Rs 80,670 crore) to Pakistan under coalition support fund.

“The United States strongly supports ongoing Pakistani counterterrorism efforts. Pakistan has suffered at the hands of terrorists and violent extremists, and the United States will continue to work closely with Pakistan to achieve our shared counterterrorism goals,” a Pentagon official said.

“In our discussions with Pakistan, we have long said that it is in the interest of Pakistan to eliminate safe havens, and we continue to urge Pakistan to take action against all militant groups, particularly the Haqqani Network,” the official said in response to a question.