The Bush Administration is confident of unhindered supply of security assistance to Pakistan.
It has made clear that the new Congressional restriction on a portion of annual counterterrorism aid does not in any way affect the top South Asian ally’s purchase of F-16 fighter jets.
Senior administration officials this week noted Pakistan’s continued counterterrorism efforts along Afghan border areas as well as steps President Musharraf has taken towards democratic transition in two areas the Congress wants a report on before release of a $ 50 million tranche of US assistance sometime in 2008.
Richard Boucher, the top US official for South Asia, clarified that under the new Congressional legislation, release of a $ 50 million out of a total of $ 300 million counterterrorism aid is not subject to certification but a report by the Secretary of State on the country’s success in the war on terror and democratic development.
“We are confident that we will be able to report to Congress on the developments in the areas that they have identified,” he told reporters after Congress sent a measure containing the relevant provisions to White House for President George Bush’s signature.
Boucher, who is Assistant Secretary of Sate for South Asia, quashed notions of any link between the new Capitol Hill measure and the delivery of US F-16 fighter planes to Pakistan.
“This does not affect the F-16 program. The F-16 program is a Pakistani purchase, their money, they’re buying them.
US aid to Pakistan diverted, squandered: NYT report
WASHINGTON, Dec 24 (AFP): More than five billion dollars in US aid to Pakistan has often never reached the military units it was intended for to fight Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, and instead diverted to other programs, the New York Times reported Monday. Much of the money meant to reimburse frontline Pakistani units was channeled to weapons systems aimed at India and to pay inflated Pakistani reimbursement claims for fuel, ammunition and other costs, unnamed US government and military officials told the daily. “I wonder if the Americans have been taken for a ride,” said a diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Money intended to repay Pakistan for maintaining 100,000 troops in the restive tribal areas apparently does not reach the troops who need it, officials said. “It is not making its way, for certain, we know, to the broader part of the armed forces which is carrying out the brunt of the operations on the border with Afghanistan,” a senior US military official told the Times. (Posted @ 10:35 PST)
US aid to Pakistan diverted, squandered: NYT report
More allegations against Pakistan by NYT. If these allegations are true then whu would the US Congress pass a further $785m of aid to Pakistan just the other day. Also, why would the White House be confident at this new aid being delivered to Pakistan. Once again people wishing bad news on Pakistan are sadly disappointed.
Na-pak generals will try to keep squandering any form of money which may come their way.
Unfortunately, this time around the money is not just of boot-licking stupid Pakistanis, but from their own masters.
اور اسی وجہ سے اب بہانڈا پہوث رہا ہے
This shows the commitment of these na-pak generals in war against extremism.
“This is an insult to the brave soldiers of Pakistan who have always upheld their commitment to safeguard the borders of the country,” said Sherry Rehman, central information secretary, Pakistan Peoples Party. Rehman said that the latest reports not only cast doubt on the military regime’s commitment to fight the war on terror, it also explains why we have not met any success despite having vast amount of financial resources and a capable military force to tackle the challenge.
Soldiers are still fighting with outdated weapons and equipment, and are not even properly protected against the militant attacks. As a result, scores of soldiers have lost their lives in successive attacks mounted against military installations across the country, this year alone.
