*ISLAMABAD – US National Security Adviser John Bolton has said the militaryaid suspension to Pakistan was not taken lightly by the Trumpadministration.*
In his address to a Washington think-tank on Monday— the Federalist Societyfor Law and Public Policy Studies, Bolton said the war against terrorismwas a matter of extraordinary importance to America.
Bolton was quoted as saying by the Financial Express that the US wantedPakistan to cooperate fully in the war against terrorism. “It was before mytime, but the Trump administration did not take the decision to cancel asubstantial part of the military aid package to Pakistan lightly,” he said.
“It was done knowing full well that Pakistan is a nuclear weapons state,and the risk that the government could fall into the hands of terrorists…”In January, US President Donald Trump suspended most of military aid toPakistan, accusing Islamabad of allowing the Taliban to use its territoryfor attacks in Afghanistan.
In August this year, the US Congress passed a $716.3 billion defenseauthorization bill, significantly slashing the security aid to Pakistan to$150 million per year. The security-related aids have been around $750million to $1 billion until now.
Last week, the Pentagon asked Congress to allow it to use for other purposethe funds that had been set aside for Pakistan. The re-allocation ended thepossibility that the funds earmarked for Pakistan could be released ifIslamabad agreed to take the required action against various terroristgroups.
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During his visit to Islamabad last week, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hadpressed the new Pakistani government to rein in the groups reportedlyoperating from its soil. Bolton said Secretary Pompeo wanted to convey themessage that “we hoped and expected that Pakistan would cooperate fully inthe war against terrorism, which they had committed to do.”
Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry quoted US Secretary of State MikePompeo as assuring Pakistan last week that Washington would not try toblock any request for a bailout from the International Monetary Fund
A spokesman for the U.S. State Department told Reuters that Washingtonwanted to see “a prosperous Pakistan that contributes positively towardregional stability and security.”
The spokesman added: “We understand that Pakistan has not requestedassistance from the IMF. If they do request assistance, as we do in allcases in evaluating any loan program, we will examine closely all aspects.”
