Terrorism: Pentagon cancels $300 million aid to Pakistan

Troubles for newly elected Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan is looming large. In a major blow, the United States of America’s Pentagon cancelled a $300 million aid meant for its ally Pakistan. Citing the reason that Pakistan ‘failed to take decisive action’ against terror groups based within its borders, the Pentagon declared their decision.

Stating that this is not a new decision or announcement, Pentagon Spokesman Koné Faulkner told PTI, “Due to a lack of Pakistani decisive actions in support of the South Asia Strategy, the remaining $300 million (actually $323.6 million to include non-Pakistan funds) was reprogrammed by DoD in the June/July 2018 time frame for other urgent priorities before the funds expire on September 30, 2018.”

Refusing to give the necessary certification to the Congress on Pakistan’s strong steps against terrorist groups like the Haqqani network and Lashkar-e-Taiba, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis had stated that the Department of Defence (DoD) reprogrammed $800 million CSF destined for Pakistan.

Pentagon spokesperson added, “In 2018, the DoD Appropriations Act, published on March 23, 2018, you can find the verbiage detailing $500M was rescinded by Congress upon the 2018 DoD Appropriations Act’s passage (page 161), which is all public. We continue to press Pakistan to indiscriminately target all terrorist groups, including the Haqqani Network and LeT in the region”

Earlier in April, US had expressed its concern over terrorist groups continuing to enjoy safe haven in Pakistan. Even President Donald Trump stated that America needs to change its approach in dealing with Pakistan. He had said, “We cannot be silent about Pakistan’s safe haven for terror groups. Pakistan often gives safe havens to agents of chaos, violence and terror.”

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