The United States
is suspending security assistance to Pakistan for failing to take “decisive action” against Taliban militants.
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 clear how much money and materiel was being withheld.
The vague details suggested the goal was to substantiate President Donald Trump’s New Year’s Day tweet that accused Pakistan of playing U.S. leaders for “fools.”
Spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the restrictions covered security assistance above and beyond the $255 million for Pakistani purchases of U.S. 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 Jim Mattis said the policy on military aid was “still being formulated.”
Nauert made clear the $255 million was still blocked.
The new action targets payments of so-called Coalition Support Funds that the U.S. pays to Pakistan to reimburse it for its counterterrorism operations. Those funds are typically paid later in the year.
On Monday, Trump said the U.S. had “foolishly” given Pakistan more than $33 billion in aid in the last 15 years and had gotten nothing in return but “lies & deceit.”
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 safe havens on its soil.