Obama Admin seeks $800m for Pakistan in FY 2016 budget request

The Obama Administration on Monday sought more than $800 million in economic and security assistance for Pakistan in its financial year 2016 budget proposal.

President Barack Obama sent the request to Congress for its approval. The budget document, making the case for assistance for Pakistan, says the country as key to success of counterterrorism and stability efforts in the region.

The allocation for Pakistan in the new financial year includes $534 million in civilian assistance and $307 million in security assistance.

“For Pakistan, the Budget demonstrates our commitment to fostering stability and prosperity, and provides security assistance that promotes counterterrorism and counterinsurgency capabilities,” a budget document said.

The Budget continues to support public engagement and partnership programs in Pakistan and maintains staffing in order to support these critical US priorities, it said.

“Pakistan will continue to be a key partner with the United States on counterterrorism and nuclear nonproliferation goals, and in achieving lasting stability and economic development in the region. Funds will demonstrate the US commitment to sustained, long-term engagement with Pakistan, throughout the transition in Afghanistan.”
On security assistance for Pakistan, the document says given the ongoing transition in Afghanistan and continued terrorist attacks against civilian and military targets throughout Pakistan, the Foreign Military Financing is essential to Pakistan’s efforts to increase stability in its western border region and ensure overall stability within its own borders.
“The $265 million Pakistan request in FY 2016 will enhance the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps, Air Force, and Navy’s ability to conduct counterinsurgency (COIN) and counterterrorism (CT) operations against militants throughout its borders, especially in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, improve Pakistan’s ability to deter threats emanating from those areas, and encourage continued US-Pakistan military-to-military engagement.