WH unveils budget with trimmed Pakistan aid, subject to conditions of course
WASHINGTON: A list of conditions accompanied the funds allocation request for Pakistan among the White House, Department of Defense and the State Department budgets for fiscal year 2013.
The White House has allocated $800 million for Pakistans Counterinsurgency Capability Fund (PCCF) in its budget for fiscal year 2013, whereas the State Department and USAID budget for Pakistan comes to $2.4 billion.
The budget, which will go to Congress for approval, shows a decrease of $50 million in the allocation figure for PCCF from last year. The purpose of the fund is to build and maintain the counterinsurgency capability of Pakistans security forces. The services provided by the US include human rights training, providing equipment, supplies, training and infrastructure repair.
The description of the PCCF stated in the budget documents released by the State Department state that the PCCF enhances the capabilities of the Pakistan Army, the Pakistan Air Force, and the Frontier Corps by meeting their needs for training, equipment, and infrastructure. The PCCF will assist the Government of Pakistan to eliminate the violent extremists ability to operate along its border with Afghanistan. The PCCF account will draw down when the need for intensive support for engagement against terrorist organisations in Pakistan declines.
State Department
In a press release issued by the State Department, the budget allocation requested for Pakistan for FY2013 is $2.4 billion. This includes the $800 million cited in the PCCF, and is meant for assistance to strengthen democratic and civil institutions that provide a bulwark against extremism, and support joint security and counterterrorism efforts.
Certifications
The budget documents also outline certifications that the US secretary of State is required to make to various Congress committees before funds such as the Foreign Military Financing Program, PCCF etc. can be allocated.
According to the conditions, the Secretary must certify that Pakistan is cooperating with the US in counterterrorism efforts against the Quetta Shura, Haqqani Network, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba, al Qaeda and other domestic and foreign terrorist organizations. Pakistan must not be supporting terrorist activities against the US or coalition forces in Afghanistan.
Interestingly, a condition includes that the Secretary of State must certify that,
Pakistans military and intelligence agencies are not intervening extra-judicially into political and judicial processes in Pakistan
Other certification requirements include the issuance of visas in a timely manner for United States visitors engaged in counterterrorism efforts and assistance programs in Pakistan. Pakistan must also take action against IED networks and prevent nuclear proliferation.
Even though the requirements state that the US Secretary of State can suspend assistance to Pakistan if it doesnt demonstrate progress in these goals, the Secretary of State also has the right to waive the certification if to do so is in the national security interest of the United States.
WH unveils budget with trimmed Pakistan aid, subject to conditions of course The Express Tribune
This is humiliating to 185 million Pakistanis. There is way too much U.S. interference in Pakistan's internal affairs. Of course indians would like this.
