Pak ‘laments’ US blocking $300-mn military aid

Pakistan has conveyed its disappointment to America that despite its “concerted and forceful” campaign against all terrorist groups, including the dreaded Haqqani network, the US did not “certify” its actions and blocked the $300 million military aid to the country.

In a meeting with US President Barack Obama’s envoy Peter Lavoy, Pakistan Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary expressed concerns over the halt to the military aid. 

US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter did not give Congressional certification to Pakistan for satisfactory action against the Haqqani network this year.

In the absence of the certification, the Pentagon blocked the release of $300 million military aid to Pakistan under the Coalition Support Fund, which is essentially reimbursement money for the expenses made by Pakistan Army in support of US operations in Afghanistan. The Pakistan Foreign Office in a statement said Chaudhary “lamented that despite Pakistan’s indiscriminate action against all terrorist groups, included the Haqqani Network, the US administration had decided not to certify the concerted and forceful measures taken by Pakistan.” 

Referring to “certain recent developments” that had placed a strain on bilateral ties, Chaudhary stressed that continued engagement was important to resolve differences of perception and understanding.

Pakistan has made a strong pitch for membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), telling the UN Security Council that the “exemplary measures” Islam­­abad had taken to strengthen nuclear safety establish its eligibility credentials. “We expect that a non-discriminatory, criteria-based approach is followed for extending NSG membership which strengthens the non-proliferation regime,” Pakistan’s representative to the UN Maleeha Lodhi said, Dawn online reported on Thursday.