U.S. withholds aid to Pakistan
Exact amount of funding, materiel being withheld is unknown
WASHINGTON — The United States announced Thursday that it was suspending security assistance to Pakistan for failing to take “decisive action” against Taliban militants targeting U.S. personnel in neighboring Afghanistan.
The State Department’s declaration signaled growing frustration over Pakistan’s cooperation in fighting terrorist networks, but it was not immediately clear how much money and materiel was being withheld. The move comes after a President Donald Trump tweet on New Year’s Day that accused Pakistan of playing U.S. leaders for “fools.”
Spokesman Heather Nauert said the restrictions covered security assistance above and beyond the $255 million for Pakistani purchases of American military equipment that the administration held up in August.
Nauert said details were still being worked out on the additional funds and referred questions to the Defense Department. Earlier Thursday, Defense Secretary James Mattis said the policy on military aid was “still being formulated.”
Before Thursday’s announcement, Pakistan said it was ready to face any U.S. action.
Defense Minister Khurram Dastagir said Thursday that there should be “no doubt or fear as the defense of Pakistan is in competent and strong hands.” Earlier, army spokesman Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor said Pakistan’s response will be in line with the wishes of the Pakistani people.
Ayaz Sadiq, speaker of the lower house of parliament, told reporters after a private meeting of the parliament’s national security committee that they discussed the situation after Trump’s New Year’s Day tweet and that a follow-up meeting will decide on the “strategy.”
“A balanced response is needed that would preserve the country’s dignity while engaging with the U.S.,” Sadiq said. “We have to look as to why questions were raised about” Pakistan.
On Monday, Trump said the United States had “foolishly” given Pakistan more than $33 billion in aid in the past 15 years and had gotten nothing in return but “lies & deceit.” He reiterated longstanding allegations that Pakistan gives “safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan.”
Pakistan denies supporting militants, pointing to its own war against extremist groups battling to overthrow the government.
Nauert made clear the $255 million was still blocked. The new action targets payments of so-called Coalition Support Funds that the United States pays to Pakistan to reimburse it for its counterterrorism operations. That money is typically paid later in the year and already requires U.S. certification, so the effect of Thursday’s announcement was unclear.
Trump unveiled in August a South Asia strategy aimed at ending the stalemate in the U.S. war in Afghanistan, now entering its 17th year, demanding action by Pakistan against militant havens on its soil.
Nauert said that despite sustained high-level engagement by the Trump administration with Pakistan’s government, “the Taliban and Haqqani network continue to find sanctuary inside Pakistan as they plot to destabilize Afghanistan and attack U.S. and allied personnel.” She told reporters that until Pakistan takes “decisive action” against those groups, security assistance was suspended.
Also Thursday, the State Department accused Pakistan of severe violations of religious freedom. It announced that it was placing Pakistan on a special watch list, pursuant to 2016 legislation. The step does not carry any serious consequences.
Pakistan’s embassy in Washington and mission at the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.
Information for this article was contributed by Josh Lederman, Zeke Miller and Zarar Khan of The Associated Press.