U.S. President Barack Obama’s intent to provide more aid to
Pakistan has come unstuck with Republicans in the House of
Representatives proposing a foreign aid bill that would restrict
Obama’s authority to provide money to Pakistan, Egypt and the
Palestinian Authority, while cutting money for international
organisations.
The legislation, introduced in the House on Tuesday, would only provide
47.2 billion dollars in the next budget year, including 7.6 billion
dollars for the Global War on Terror fund.
That money pays for security forces and police in Iraq and backs up
civilian programs for counterinsurgency efforts in Afghanistan. The
overall bill is 8.6 billion dollars less than current spending.
According to the Dawn, the bill bars civilian and security aid to
Pakistan unless the US secretary of state can certify to Congress that
Islamabad is pursuing terrorists and helping investigate how al-Qaida
leader Osama bin Laden hid for years inside Pakistan.
The measure presses the Obama administration for evidence of
cooperation against terrorists by Egypt, Lebanon, Yemen and the
Palestinian Authority before providing US aid.
“We have established tough oversight and accountability measures that
will make sure my constituents’ tax dollars are not wasted overseas
while making sure we support our national security priorities and key
allies,” said Republican Rep. Kay Granger, the subcommittee’s
chairwoman.
The bill would cut US contributions to the United Nations and trim spending for the US Agency for International Development.
The subcommittee will consider the legislation on Wednesday. (ANI)
