Islamabad: US Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke told journalists on Thursday that the Coalition Support Fund (CSF) money meant for Pakistan were “unfortunately held back” because of accounting reasons and would be partially released next week.
“This is the money we owed to Pakistan,” he said.
He said the United States would begin disbursement of CSF payments to Pakistan next week, releasing USD 349 million in the first phase, the Dawn reports.
He said the remaining amount would be paid once the tedious accounting issues were resolved.
The CSF reimburses expenditures incurred by 27 coalition partners, including Pakistan, in direct support of US military operations.
Stringent verification of Pakistani claims after introduction of new guidelines by the US authorities contributed to an increase in the amount of claims, which were not accepted and deferred. The outstanding payments stand at two billion dollars.
Pakistan has been pleading with Washington to release the payments to ease pressure on its budget and enable it to continue its Public Sector Development Programme.
Holbrooke said that US Congressional assent was required for the release of the first tranche of USD 349 million next week.
ANI
First Published: Friday, February 19, 2010, 14:55