A resolution to cut most of the United States' funding to Pakistan has been quietly tabled in the U.S. House of Representatives, even as the two countries' relationship continued to totter dangerously in a furore over the alleged terror links of Pakistan's intelligence agency.
The wobble in bilateral ties began last week after scathing remarks by Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who openly spoke of the links between the ISI and the Haqqani network terror outfit in a congressional hearing.
On the very same evening Congressman Ted Poe, Republican of Texas, tabled H.R. 3013, also known as the Pakistan Accountability Act, a piece of legislation which, if passed by Congress, will freeze all U.S. aid to Pakistan with the exception of funds that are designated to help secure nuclear weapons.
In a blunt statement to the House following the introduction of the Act, Mr. Poe said, “Since the discovery of Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan has proven to be disloyal, deceptive and a danger to the U.S.”
Support for militants
He added that the “so-called ally continues to take billions in U.S. aid while at the same time supports the militants who attack us”.
A series of harsh exchanges between U.S. and Pakistan followed. Most recently Pakistan's Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said in New York City the Haqqani network was the CIA “blue-eyed boy”.
Mr. Poe said by continuing to provide aid to Pakistan, the U.S. was funding the enemy, endangering Americans and undermining U.S. efforts in the region all together. In a strong speech on the floor of the House Mr. Poe argued, “We pay them to hate us, now we pay them to bomb us. Let's not pay them at all.”
If passed by Congress and signed into law by the White House, the Act would apply to any funds allocated for assistance to Pakistan that were not spent on or after such date, as per the text of the Bill.
Keywords: U.S., Pakistan, U.S. aid, Haqqani network terror, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar
We Pakistani were waiting for this for such a long time because people of Pakistan and loyal and non-corrupt politician believed for very long time that US is not a friend of Pakistan + any Muslim country, and they have been playing double games since 1960s with us. All the aid money that Pakistan received was in fact paid to corrupt politician who will only take care of US agenda (i.e. to weak Pakistan and other Muslim countries like Egypt, etc) and will not spend on real development projects. In fact that aid money was sort of bribes to corrupt politicians which mean US is using un-ethical means to protect their big fat cats (i.e. US private defence companies. of course they need sales to survive and without war there will be no sales). Finally we will have real independent life were we will take care of Pakistani & other Muslim interest rather than of west who have always created disunity in our countries. How they divide the region/nations, the current situation of South East Asia.
Pakistan's cherished policy of strategic depth and support to select group of militant groups is proving to be tragically short sighted and dangerous. This policy has brought nothing but death and destruction in side the country.The bluster and the anti-American tirade of the civilian leadership to Adm Mike Mullen`s claims about the Haqqani network`s presence and links in Pakistan is childish and irresponsible. This is the high time for the Americans to call the Pakistan bluff by declassify and publish openly the links of ISI and Haqqani group.
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