WASHINGTON
Arguing that Pakistan will remain a key player in counterterrorism post-2014, the United States (US) has proposed $280 million in military assistance to the country, although it wants to cut civilian aid in an effort to acknowledge India’s concerns about misuse of the funds.
Marred by financial constraints, the Obama administration has proposed to substantially cut civilian aid to Pakistan to $446 million for the next fiscal year as against $703 million in 2013, which among other things the State Department argued is aimed at improving ties with India.
“The OCO (Overseas Contingency Operations) resources will support critical US activities such as sustaining close cooperation with Pakistan, ensuring the safety of Pakistani nuclear installations, working with Pakistan to facilitate the peace process in Afghanistan, and promoting improved relations with India,” the State Department said as it proposed $446 million in civilian aid to Pakistan.
“FY 2015 funding for Pakistan is crucial to meeting key US strategic priorities of combating terrorism, strengthening security in both Pakistan and the region, and maintaining stability in Afghanistan post-transition,” the department said.
“Pakistan will remain a key player in US counterterrorism and nuclear non-proliferation efforts in FY 2015, as well as in our long-term objectives of economic development and stability in the region,” the State Department said in its annual budget proposals to the Congress.
“Developing an enduring and collaborative relationship with an increasingly stable and prosperous Pakistan that plays a constructive role in the region will therefore continue to be a priority for the United States,” the department said proposing $100 million to Pakistan under the Economic Support Fund (ESF) for the fiscal year 2015.
Under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) category, the US maintained USD 280 million in military aid to Pakistan for the fiscal year 2015 beginning in October 2014.
Given the ongoing transition in Afghanistan and continued terrorist attacks against civilian and military targets across Pakistan, FMF is essential to Pakistan’s efforts to increase stability in its western border region and ensure overall stability within its own borders, the department said.
“The $280 million Pakistan requests will enhance the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps, Air Force, and Navy’s ability to conduct counter insurgency (COIN) and counter terrorism (CT) operations against militants throughout its borders and will improve Pakistan’s ability to deter threats emanating from those areas, and encourage continued US-Pakistan military-to-military engagement,” the State Department said.
The OCO supports a robust diplomatic presence and critical assistance programmes to support the government and its people following Pakistan’s first democratic transition.
“These funds will help facilitate increased stability and prosperity in this strategically important nation and will enable us to sustain a presence necessary to achieve essential strategic priorities of eliminating terrorism and enhancing stability in Pakistan and the region following the transition in Afghanistan,” the State Department said.
Pakistan lies at the heart of the US counterterrorism strategy, the peace process in Afghanistan, nuclear non-proliferation efforts and economic integration in South and Central Asia, it said.
The sacrifices of Pakistan Army to eliminate global terrorism can not be ignored. Pakistani army has extended their services to maintain global peace and security. Pak Army has been instrumental during War on Terror. Nearly 3000 Pakistani troops have lost their lives during fight with insurgents. Today, Pak Army is confronting with multiple threats. Internal insurgency as well as external threats have been tackled by Pak army bravely. So US must regard role of army.
Pakistan’s geo-strategic importance can be best understood in the regional and global perspective. In geographical terms, it is surrounded by four countries: Afghanistan, Iran, India and China, each of which is a major player in international politics. In one way or the other, Pakistan is vital for these countries and this raises its international stature. Afghanistan which is now the focus of world’s attention is generally regarded as the breeding ground of all the international terrorism, militancy and opium production and the whole world, including the US realises the fact that no peace is possible in Afghanistan without the active support and cooperation of Pakistan. Current military aid which is alloted by USA for Pakistan is infact positive for USA itself, because Pakistan is the only country which is the front line ally of US in war against terrorism thus sacrificing the strength of the country in the form of its military power. Futher pakistan being not member to NPT has always proved and maintened itself upto the international efforts of non proliferation.
This provision of giving military aid to Pakistan has several meanings inside which are going to be unfolded with the passage of time. But this is a fact that US always tackle Pakistan with carrot and stick policy and events are evidential in this regard. This also admits one important factor that Pakistan is a significantly important for US particularly because of its geostrategic location. No one is much concerned about Pakistan than its own people. The country’s military credentials are well appreciated over the globe
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