Bill to tighten restrictions on Pakistan's aid introduced in US Senate
According to the NDAA, Pakistan is to be given $300 million in aid
WASHINGTON (Dunya News) – Bill to tighten restrictions on Pakistan’s military aid has been submitted in the Senate.
The bill demands Defense Secretary Ash Carter to appear before the Congress and testify that Pakistan is carrying out operation against terrorists so that the aid could be given a go-ahead.
According to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Pakistan is to be given $300 million in aid.
Earlier the bill was presented in the House of Representatives which asked the Pentagon to testify that Islamabad was carrying out an operation against Haqqani network.
This month, Senator Bob Corker used his authority as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee to bar the use of any US funds for Pakistan to buy American F-16 fighter jets.
House members added three amendments related to Pakistan to the 2007 version of the bill. All three amendments were passed by unanimous voice vote.
One of the requirements was that the administration certified Pakistan’s progress in arresting and prosecuting Haqqani network’s leaders.
Another required that the Secretary of Defense certified that Pakistan was not using its military or any funds provided by the US to persecute minority groups.
And the third stated that Shakil Afridi was an international hero and should be released from prison. Afridi is a Pakistani doctor believed to have helped the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to hunt Osama bin Laden.
A court sentenced Afridi to 33 years imprisonment in 2012 for belonging to a militant group. Afridi, however has denied the charges. That sentence was overturned and Afridi is now awaiting trial on another charge.
After the Senate, the NDAA will be sent to the White House where Obama will either approve the legislation or veto it.
