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US to consider continuing $700 mn aid to Pakistan
The US Embassy in Pak has contradicted media reports about its Senate`s decision to `cut` 700 million dollars in military aid to Pakistan.
Islamabad: The United States Embassy in Pakistan has contradicted media reports about its Senate’s decision to “cut” 700 million dollars in military aid to Pakistan, saying the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) is currently “under consideration”.
“There have been incorrect and unclear media reports that the US Congress has “cut” 700 million dollars in military aid to Pakistan. To clarify the issue, we offer the following important facts about the draft 2012 National Defence Authorisation Act currently under consideration in the US Congress: The current draft of the Act does not “cut” 700 million dollars in military aid to Pakistan,” the Daily Times quoted the US Embassy statement, as saying. “Rather, it includes a reporting requirement. In this instance, once the Secretary of Defence certifies that Pakistan is cooperating in our joint efforts to combat improvised explosive devices (IEDs), the funds will be released”, further said, adding: “Assistance conditioned to reporting requirements is not new, nor are such reporting requirements specific to Pakistan.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has said America would be responsible if Pakistan fails in war against terrorism after the US Senate agreed to freeze close to 700 million dollars in aid to Islamabad.
She made the statement while giving a briefing to the Parliamentary Committee on National Security following the US senate’s decision.
“We are talking to other countries for the release of US aid. Relations with US are on hold and would proceed further if parliament, one is about NATO supply line and the other is about ministry of defence,” Khar said.
She further said the Defence Committee has clearly stated that relations with the US, ISAF and NATO would be reviewed. Khar also briefed the parliamentary committee on government’s agreements with the United States and NATO.
According to reports, she produced details of all written and oral agreements and assurances given to the US and NATO before the committee, adding that Washington would be responsible for potential defeat in Afghanistan. Pakistan could not fight war on terror alone, and it would approach other countries to get the aid restored, Khar added. ANI
“There have been incorrect and unclear media reports that the US Congress has “cut” 700 million dollars in military aid to Pakistan. To clarify the issue, we offer the following important facts about the draft 2012 National Defence Authorisation Act currently under consideration in the US Congress: The current draft of the Act does not “cut” 700 million dollars in military aid to Pakistan,” the Daily Times quoted the US Embassy statement, as saying. “Rather, it includes a reporting requirement. In this instance, once the Secretary of Defence certifies that Pakistan is cooperating in our joint efforts to combat improvised explosive devices (IEDs), the funds will be released”, further said, adding: “Assistance conditioned to reporting requirements is not new, nor are such reporting requirements specific to Pakistan.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has said America would be responsible if Pakistan fails in war against terrorism after the US Senate agreed to freeze close to 700 million dollars in aid to Islamabad.
She made the statement while giving a briefing to the Parliamentary Committee on National Security following the US senate’s decision.
“We are talking to other countries for the release of US aid. Relations with US are on hold and would proceed further if parliament, one is about NATO supply line and the other is about ministry of defence,” Khar said.
She further said the Defence Committee has clearly stated that relations with the US, ISAF and NATO would be reviewed. Khar also briefed the parliamentary committee on government’s agreements with the United States and NATO.
According to reports, she produced details of all written and oral agreements and assurances given to the US and NATO before the committee, adding that Washington would be responsible for potential defeat in Afghanistan. Pakistan could not fight war on terror alone, and it would approach other countries to get the aid restored, Khar added. ANI