WASHINGTON: A US Congressional committee has proposed to provide Pakistanwith half of Coalition Support Fund (CSF) and linked rest half with actionagainst the Haqqani network.

The House Armed Services Committee on Monday said the $350 million of thetotal $700 million proposed financial assistance to Pakistan may not bereleased till the defence secretary certifies to Congress that Islamabadhas taken actions against the Haqqani network.

Releasing the text of its version of the National Defence Authorisation(NDAA) Bill, the committee authorised $700 million in the CSF to Pakistan.”Of that amount, not more than $350 million may be provided until theSecretary of Defence certified that Pakistan is taking demonstrable stepsagainst the Haqqani network,” it said.

The committee’s proposal is aligned with the administration’s consistentposition that Pakistan is not acting against terrorist outfits, especiallythe Haqqani network and needs to be pressured or face aid restrictions.

Last August, the administration announced its South Asia and Afghanistanpolicy, asking Pakistan to cooperate in its fight against terrorism, andnot provide sanctuaries to such elements. Pakistan has repeatedly deniedsuch allegations and vowed to fight terrorism without financial aid fromthe US.