US House decides on conditional military aid for Pakistan

[datalibdaz]

WASHINGTON: The United States (US) House of Representatives on Thursday voted 277 to 147 in favour of a defence policy bill seeking to increase restrictions on military aid for Pakistan unless certain conditions are met.

The House, expressing frustration over what they term Islamabad's failure to crack down on the Haqqani network, passed the $602 billion National Defense Authorization Act 2017, or NDAA late on Wednesday.

The NDAA will block $450 million in aid to Islamabad unless it does more to fight the militant group, which lawmakers see as a major threat to US forces in Afghanistan.

The bill requires the Pentagon to certify that Pakistan is conducting military operations to disrupt the Haqqani network, not letting the network use North Waziristan as a safe haven and actively coordinating with Afghanistan's government to fight the network along their border.

As they finalised the 2017 version of the annual bill, House members added three amendments related to Pakistan. All passed by unanimous voice vote.

One added a fourth requirement to the release of the aid, that the administration certify Pakistan has shown progress in arresting and prosecuting Haqqani network senior leaders and mid-level operatives.

Another required that the Secretary of Defence certify Pakistan is not using its military or any funds or equipment provided by the US to persecute minority groups.

And a third added a "sense of Congress" that Shakil Afridi is an international hero and calls for his immediate release from prison.

Pakistan sentenced Afridi in 2012 to 33 years in jail on charges of belonging to a militant group, which he denies. That sentence was overturned and Afridi is now awaiting trial on another charge.

The government says its courts will decide Afridi's fate, and has angrily criticised US politicians, including Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, over calls to release him.

The House version of the NDAA is not the final version of the legislation. It must be combined with a Senate bill before being sent to the White House for President Barack Obama to sign, or veto.

However, there is also strong criticism of Pakistan in the US Senate. This month, Senator Bob Corker used his authority as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee to bar the use of any US funds for Pakistan to buy American F-16 fighter jets.

http://www.dawn.com/news/1259564/us-house-decides-on-conditional-military-aid-for-pakistan

 

[datalibdaz]

Here we go. Forget the F 16's now. They ain't funding, we ain't buying either with our funds...

 

[Hakikat ve Hikmet]

Thats odd considering just yesterday white house urged Senate to help on releasing aid! Even democrats didnt listen to Obama or Obama played this move to put extra pressure on Pakistan?

In next few days the pressure on Pakistan will exceed from every side with Modi, Ghani and Iran signing deals in Iran. Suddenly Ghani is very vocal against Pakistan!

Add to this Pak Army chief visit to China, something big is going on which is not yet in public domain. US was never this upset and anti Pakistan in past few years!

Pak's ability to come out of tight spots belies even David Copperfield. Pak's tricks can't be exhausted. She will over trump by pulling a couple of Aces of spades from her sleeves even though one is being proudly put on the table by her mortal enemy. Pak can roll a pair of dices with facing 7s although her die hard enemy is showing proudly 2 6s. Don't worry, be happy...

 

[Viper0011.]

WASHINGTON: The United States (US) House of Representatives on Thursday voted 277 to 147 in favour of a defence policy bill seeking to increase restrictions on military aid for Pakistan unless certain conditions are met.

The House, expressing frustration over what they term Islamabad's failure to crack down on the Haqqani network, passed the $602 billion National Defense Authorization Act 2017, or NDAA late on Wednesday.

The NDAA will block $450 million in aid to Islamabad unless it does more to fight the militant group, which lawmakers see as a major threat to US forces in Afghanistan.

Turraaa!!!!!! @MastanKhan : here we go. The end result which you and I've been highlighting for over a year now!!!! Pakistani military people will never change it seems like. Now back to the 90's again and scramble for holly shiit scenario. Which anyone could see coming since OBL's capture!!!! And yet, the PAF/PA had no other procurement deals going which right now were finalized!!!!

 

[That Guy]

Thats odd considering just yesterday white house urged Senate to help on releasing aid! Even democrats didnt listen to Obama or Obama played this move to put extra pressure on Pakistan?

In next few days the pressure on Pakistan will exceed from every side with Modi, Ghani and Iran signing deals in Iran. Suddenly Ghani is very vocal against Pakistan!

Add to this Pak Army chief visit to China, something big is going on which is not yet in public domain. US was never this upset and anti Pakistan in past few years!

Nothing big is going on, it's par for the course. This has happened before, and it won't be the last time this will happen.

There is news that the US may end up funding the F-16s after all, according to washington defense experts.

http://www.dawn.com/news/1259494/pakistan-may-get-f-16s-by-july-experts

Ghani isn't that vocal against Pakistan, he's been pandering to local anti-Pakistani elements, so that he can stay in power. Meanwhile, his actions show that he's cooperating with Pakistan fully...

http://tribune.com.pk/story/1106217/qcg-agrees-to-give-peace-a-chance/

The Afghan foreign minister wasn't there, due to domestic political pressure to abandon the QCG group, but Afghanistan still quietly sent the Afghan ambassador, whom agreed with the QCG joint statement.

-----------

As for the topic, Pakistan should stop taking money from the US, as the US can't even be bothered to pay for services rendered.

Better just move on, and give up on the F-16s, because even if Pakistan gets them, they'll always be used as a noose to squeeze Pakistan's throat, whenever the two disagree. Save your money, spend some on developing the JF-17 and save the rest looking for a F-16 replacement.

Joining this war has cost Pakistan around $200 billion dollars economically, and Pakistan is making peanuts back. Concentrate on CPEC, grow your economy, and find a way to end the war on the western border, with China's help.

Move on.

 

[Dr Shaheryar]

Bhai log We will get everything that we require conditionally just to satisfy some critics.

 

[That Guy]

I must admire your optimistic approach

Did you heard yesterday's bol bol Pakistan in which the voice of america journo who is covering QCG from beigning said that the meeting was like a joke and is in coma if not dead? That even after 5 meeting there is no road map and nothing in written so far, Afghanistan is accusing Pakistan and Pakistan is accusing Afghanistan.

The meeting was more muted, but mostly due to Afghanistan's current reluctance. The truth is that even as Afghanistan is openly speaking against talks, it is itself actually in peace negotiations with Afghan taliban allies, JeI. Pakistan itself is close to convincing every major group willing to talk, to step forward, the only thing that remains is Afghanistan's political will.

This isn't about optimism, it's simply geopolitics.

By the way, I really don't give a damn what a VoA journo says about anything.

 

[Musafir117]

Who freakin care, election games are on peak Uncle Tom bent down later when it's come to their complete withdraw from Afghanistan get near. Haqqanis based in Afghanistan they are more headache of NATO or Afghan govt. and if afghan back stabbers could farming the mullah Radio type elements there why we can't have few cards in our hands as well
Freakin partner in WOT come back soon like a .......again feel free to fil the blank.

 

[MastanKhan]

Turraaa!!!!!! @MastanKhan : here we go. The end result which you and I've been highlighting for over a year now!!!! Pakistani military people will never change it seems like. Now back to the 90's again and scramble for holly shiit scenario. Which anyone could see coming since OBL's capture!!!! And yet, the PAF/PA had no other procurement deals going which right now were finalized!!!!

Viper,

And there are still idiots over here who still want to press forward with the F16 purchase---. They are so dumb that they cannot comprehend that the F16's can be sanctioned prior to the day of delivery two years from now. That would be the worst blow to the pak military.

Being a fatalist is a part of pakistani culture---heritage & upbringing and we have a new member who is well into it.

This is no different than what I saw in the 80's---there was nothing like this at that time-----no electronics media---but the message was the same---and amazingly---this time---the pakistanis have the same reaction.

That is a matter of great it is a tragedy---but on top of that----it is a matter of shame.

@Viper0011.

They is one way that pak army can sabotage this whole thing-----charge Gen Kiyani and Gen Pasha with TREASON against the state---for not speaking up after the Osama killing for the support and role of pak military in taking down Osama---and execute them.

 

[Dr Shaheryar]

We have the F-16's with us since 80's. Did anything happened. We used them to protect our nuclear assets, we used them against Indian Standoff against Western border dogfights. Every purchase has it's price, good purchase is even harder to get given that your resources are limited. Is India able to procure MRCA's despite having no sanctions at all. Likewise hurdles are created but you don't stop you avoid or get over them and get to your desire result. But it takes patience and time.

 

[That Guy]

Thats what I am saying, Ghani did what US told him to do, passing bill in senate and going for act specially for Pakistan is something new for US congress and stronger than previous "lip service" and empty messages.

Afghanistan has said it clearly they dont want anymore talks with help of Pakistan and thats reflected in QCG meeting this time pretty clearly.

Ghani was not scheduled to visit Iran on Monday with Modi but its last minute plan, he was not required there but still going, its no brainier to get why.

I too take those threats by US as empty threats like every other day threat but this time they are not bowing out. They are calling bluff every single time on F-16 deal. Previously they just speak one day against Pakistan and in favor next day and on third day sent few more weapons but this time they are rigid.

Except you didn't read a single thing I said. The white house is actively trying to fix the damage that congress has done (which is mainly election rhetoric on the side of congress). The F-16 deal will happen.

And no, this isn't the first time this has happened, and it won't be the last. The only difference now is that Pakistan won't bend to US pressure.

 

[Imran Khan]

i wish i seen the day when pakistan stand up and refuse the aid before my death

 

[Photon]

Except you didn't read a single thing I said. The white house is actively trying to fix the damage that congress has done (which is mainly election rhetoric on the side of congress). The F-16 deal will happen.

And no, this isn't the first time this has happened, and it won't be the last. The only difference now is that Pakistan won't bend to US pressure.

Except it is not the congress, which is up for elections.

 

[Signalian]

i wish i seen the day when pakistan stand up and refuse the aid before my death

May you live a long life, InshALLAH, ameen, sum ameen

 

[Zee-shaun]

Deja vu, it's the 90's all over again.
Pakistan really needs to rethink our US policy, get over with this painful divorce.

Here's a few things we should do:

1- Step out of US' WoT, make it official.

2- Close and deny NATO transit routes.

3- Downgrade diplomatic ties with the US and close one of its biggest embassies in the world in Islamabad. A single consulate will do.

4- Open a media war, highlight the US' betrayal and the damages we have suffered since joining hands in WoT (at gun point)

5- Deport 3+ million Afghan refugees and fence that damn border at hotspots.

6- Grant access to China to Gawadar and make it a nuclear naval base.

7- Enhance our ties with China, Russia and Iran.