WASHINGTON: The United States said on Thursday it was suspending securityassistance to Pakistan, which one official said was worth more than $255million, until Islamabad takes action against the Afghan Taliban and theHaqqani network.
The U.S. State Department announced the decision, saying it reflected theTrump administration’s frustration that Pakistan has not done more againstthe two groups, which have long used sanctuaries in Pakistan to launchattacks in neighboring Afghanistan that have killed U.S., Afghan and otherforces.
The State Department declined to say precisely how much aid would besuspended, saying the numbers were still being calculated and that theyincluded funding from both the State and Defense departments.
However, a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity said the newlysuspended aid, which covers transfers of military equipment as well asreimbursements for Pakistani counterterrorism operations, would amount tomore than $255 million.
Earlier this year the United States suspended a separate $255 million inso-called foreign military financing, which funds purchases of U.S.military hardware, training and services.
“It’s north of $255 million,” said the U.S. official, speaking to reporterson condition of anonymity, of the newly suspended sums.
Earlier, a State Department spokeswoman said the money could go through ifIslamabad took decisive action against the groups. She also said exceptionscould be made to the suspension.
“Today we can confirm that we are suspending … security assistance only toPakistan at this time until the Pakistani government takes decisive actionagainst groups including the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network. Weconsider them to be destabilizing the region and also targeting U.S.personnel,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told a regular newsbriefing.(Reuters)