$1.9 billion aid for Pakistan approved

By Wajid Ali Syed – Washington Correspondent for Asian Tribune

Washington, 09 May, (Asiantribune.com): US House Appropriation Committee has approved $1.9 billion supplemental aid for Pakistan to help IDPs, food security and counter insurgency. The designated amount is above than the requested; Pakistan’s Ambassador to US informed the media.

At a briefing today Ambassador Haqqani said the allocation means that the misconception about Pakistan, among the Congressmen, has been washed away. The funding actually required presidential report to Congress on whether Afghanistan and Pakistan were demonstrating the necessary commitment, capability and conduct.

Categorizing the approved amount, he said, around $500 million falls under the civilian tab, while $100 million is allocated for food security and help to IDP.

Another $400m for a new Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund (PCCF) was already approved by the House of Representatives committee. "This amount will be provided to Pakistan by the end of September this year," the Ambassador added. The PCCF amount was requested by the Obama administration for the fund to bolster efforts against the Taliban and extremist groups – and was part of the 2009 Supplemental Bill funding.

The approved amount is not tagged with either conditions or timetables, though the progress will be assessed periodically. "The democratic set up in Pakistan, itself holds an accountability power," the ambassador said, adding that "US did not pressurize us even regarding India."

He called the trilateral meetings a success, claiming that the basic objectives have been achieved.

- Asian Tribune -