The White House has allocated $800 million for Pakistan’s Counterinsurgency Capability Fund (PCCF) in its budget for fiscal year 2013, whereas the State Department and USAID budget for Pakistan comes to $2.4 billion.
The budget, which will go to Congress for approval, shows a decrease of $50 million in the allocation figure for PCCF from last year. The purpose of the fund is to “build and maintain the counterinsurgency capability” of Pakistan’s security forces. The services provided by the US include human rights training, providing equipment, supplies, training and infrastructure repair.
The description of the PCCF stated in the budget documents released by the State Department state that the PCCF “enhances the capabilities of the Pakistan Army, the Pakistan Air Force, and the Frontier Corps by meeting their needs for training, equipment, and infrastructure. The PCCF will assist the Government of Pakistan to eliminate the violent extremists' ability to operate along its border with Afghanistan. The PCCF account will draw down when the need for intensive support for engagement against terrorist organisations in Pakistan declines.”
State Department
In a press release issued by the State Department, the budget allocation requested for Pakistan for FY2013 is $2.4 billion. This includes the $800 million cited in the PCCF, and is meant for assistance to “strengthen democratic and civil institutions that provide a bulwark against extremism, and support joint security and counterterrorism efforts.
Certifications
The budget documents also outline certifications that the US secretary of State is required to make to various Congress committees before funds such as the Foreign Military Financing Program, PCCF etc. can be allocated.
According to the conditions, the Secretary must certify that Pakistan is cooperating with the US in counterterrorism efforts against the Quetta Shura, Haqqani Network, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba, al Qaeda and other domestic and foreign terrorist organizations. Pakistan must not be supporting terrorist activities against the US or coalition forces in Afghanistan.
Interestingly, a condition includes that the Secretary of State must certify that, “Pakistan's military and intelligence agencies are not intervening extra-judicially into political and judicial processes in Pakistan”
Other certification requirements include the issuance of visas “in a timely manner for United States visitors engaged in counterterrorism efforts and assistance programs in Pakistan.” Pakistan must also take action against IED networks and prevent nuclear proliferation.
Even though the requirements state that the US Secretary of State can suspend assistance to Pakistan if it doesn’t demonstrate progress in these goals, the Secretary of State also has the right to waive the certification if to do so is in the national security interest of the United States.
COMMENTS (15)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1725612926-0/Tribune-Pic-(8)1725612926-0-165x106.webp "article")
If ANY country refuses US/Western aid, these country start begging them to receive (look at recent UK reaction after Indian minister said we don't want that because UK wanted India to buy 126 Fighters as a thank you!!). . Western countries use this aid to develop their 'parrots' (read some NGOs) and also nurture agents like Doctor who ran polio vaccine in Usama's compound. . They also use this aid to bribe governments to sell their expensive gadgets (ironically called defense equipment). They take away more than they give!!!
@Amjad:
Why not add a new auto for every family in your list of wants and demands? You have about as much change of getting that too. You fail to realize that PAK unlike Greece is not a supporter of terrorists or has nuclear weapons. PAK made the choice to have nuclear weapons at the expence of building other sectors of its nation. As they say some times you can't have your cake and eat it too.
@pakistani baloch: they see me trolling they hating. We need trade not aid. The USA should stop all aid to Pakistan, it's time we stood on our own two feet we need to kick these corrupt leaders out!
The PCCF is still on the table of the Obama-Administration, but with strings attached. Pakistan sees the PCCF with mixed feelings. On the one hand, the PCCF is desperately needed by the military in Islamabad, on the other hand, the top brass are too aloof to negotiate with their American counterpart in thawing the frosty relationship between the two countries.
@Amjad: Yes ! very wishful thinking here from you!! Keep dreaming on ! Please don't even count or start spending any of this money as it may never even arrive in first place, due to accountability issues, which sadly Pakistan simply lacks and refuses to acknowledge !!
we will make atom bomb of this money and targeted to india......pakistan zindabad...
Well, the issue of IED networks is serious. We don’t have to keep an eye on this because someone else wants us to do so, but we need to do it for our own sake. In addition to this, those who had been previously fighting against the state must be given a chance to return to the main fold.
PAK would be wise not spend any of these funds until they receive them. There will be enough of a grassroots effort to question why and for what purpose.
If I were PAK I would not spend any of this money before you receive it.
I think that both nations must move forward and it is only fair for both sides to re evaluate the relationship. The US may well have its preconditions but Pakistan should also put down its conditions for the working relationship such that the nation does what is in its interest too. For example the transit facility should be resumed when fair fees are paid in line with what is paid to Russia and Central Asian states. Also negotiations should start to waive Pakistan's outstanding debt which is holding back the nation. If Greece and many European countries can have their big debts written off, Pakistan's small debt should be nothing for them. Especially considering that Pakistan has suffered the most due to its help in defeating the Soviets in Afghanistan and ending the Cold War. Lastly, Pakistan should ask for complete revamping of its infrastructure since so much of the war has been hard on roads and transport facilities. Musharraf gave away Pakistan's facilities for nothing but the current government should learn from his mistakes.
wishful thinking by US, long gone are the days when US enjoyed pakistan's full support like an ally, now US must "do more" to prove it is an ally of pakistan only then can she ask for favours or requests from pakistan on War on Terror. No country in the world get into a war volunteerily and then requests others to save them from defeat and provide a respectable exit strategy. Time for US to take responsibility, accept defeat and leave the region after cleaning the political mess and restoring power imbalance created by her.
The USA always misses an important criteria - they should require both the civilian and military leaders to publicly support any restrictions on the aid as well as say "thank you". Otherwise - save your money.
Why can't Washington DC understand that Pakistanis are the worlds most hospitable people and "conditional relationships" will never work to repair US - Pakistan relationship. Money can only buy a few corrupt people. The masses are good human beings and cannot be bought. On top of this very little % of the USAID has every done anything significant for the commin mans life in Pakistan. So they prefer no aid. Majority is now vibrant young educated and social media savvy Pakistanis who want to disconnect with the curse of aid that has brought them only more misery in the past. The sooner US connects with common man and their feeling the sooner US - Pakistan relationship will start getting better
How dare! Conditions! We wont pay our taxes, but we want our money with out any conditions, because we are an honourable nation...right?!
We don't need ur aid, Just leave Us