WASHINGTON – Breakthrough development reported between Pakistan and US atthe bilateral military front.
The US State Department has sought $72 million in its 2021 budgetaryrequest from the Congress for resumption of Pakistan’s participation in acoveted US military training programme and other initiatives.
In January, President Donald Trump had authorised the resumption ofInternational Military Education and Training (IMET) for Pakistan.
The decision to resume Islamabad’s participation in the IMET – for morethan a decade a pillar of US-Pakistani military ties – underscores warmingrelations that have followed meetings this year between President Trump andPrime Minister Imran Khan.
According to the department’s request, the IMET, improves “defencecapabilities through professional military education and training,including technical courses and specialised instruction conducted at USmilitary schoolhouses or through mobile education and training teamsabroad”.
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The department maintained that a total of $104.9 million was needed tostrengthen military alliances and international coalitions critical to theUS.
For South and Central Asia, the department has earmarked a total of $12.7million out of $104.9 million. Pakistan will receive $3.5 million for theresumption of the IMET facility if the request is authorised by Congress.
India, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, also priority recipients of the fundsalongside Pakistan, are pegged to receive $1.5 million, $800,000 and $1.8million respectively.
