The Obama administration has opposed a move by Republican-controlled Congress to block aid worth $ 450 million to Pakistan for failing to “demonstrate its commitment” and taking action against the Haqqani network, saying it will “complicate progress” in bilateral ties.
A White House statement in this regard along with other objections of the administration to National Defence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (NDAA-2017) came as the bill made its way to the House of Representatives from House Armed Services Committee.
The White House said it shared the view of the lawmakers with regard to the Haqqani network, but such a move would “unnecessarily complicate progress” in bilateral ties. The House is likely to vote on the bill, HR 4909, later this week.
According to NDAA 2017, of the total amount of reimbursement and support authorised for Pakistan during the period beginning on October 1, 2016, and ending on December 31, 2017, $50 million would not be eligible for a national security waiver unless the Secretary of Defence certifies that Pakistan continues to conduct operations against Haqqanis.
Under this new proposed provision, the Defence Secretary also needs to certify that Pakistan is demonstrating a commitment to prevent the Haqqani Network from using North Waziristan as a safe haven and is actively coordinating with Afghanistan to restrict the movement of terrorists, including the Haqqani Network, along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
The Obama Administration has opposed any move to either restrict or condition US military aid to Pakistan arguing that its ties with Islamabad are very important.
