US Senate to hear draft bill which subjects CSF funds to conditions

NDAA 2013 calls to subject CSF funds for Pakistan to action against Haqqani network, Quetta shura, release Dr Afridi.


Huma Imtiaz November 27, 2012

WASHINGTON: The US senate has included in its calendar the hearing of National Defense Authorisation Act 2013 (NDAA), which seeks to place Pakistan under the spotlight for action against terror groups such as the Haqqani Network, Quetta Shura within Pakistani territory, against improvised explosive device manufacturers, ensuring security of Nato supplies and not detain Dr Shakil Afridi.

The full text of the bill, which was released earlier this year, stipulates that the conditions associated with the Counterinsurgency Fund meant for Pakistan, should be met. It says that no reimbursements against claims can be made during the period that the ground lines of supply through Pakistan were closed. Additionally, the bill says that no more than $1,750,000,000 can be given to Pakistan in the fiscal year 2013. This figure does not include reimbursements made to Pakistan during fiscal year 2013 from previous funds.

The text of the bill states that the Secretary of Defense has to certify to congressional defense committees that Pakistan has reopened and is maintaining security along the ground lines of supply to Afghanistan before Counter insurgency funds can be released.

The certification requirements include that Pakistan is not providing support to militant groups including the Haqqani Network and the Afghan Taliban as well as the Quetta Shura present in Pakistan and believed to be involved in carrying out cross-border attacks against the US, Afghan and coalition forces. The Secretary of Defense also has to certify that Pakistan is taking actions against such groups which are based and operating from Pakistan.

The requirements add that "Pakistan is demonstrably cooperating with United States counterterrorism efforts, including by not detaining, prosecuting, or imprisoning citizens of Pakistan as a result of their cooperation with such efforts, including Dr Shakil Afridi."

Additionally, the Secretary of Defense will have to certify that Pakistan is demonstrating "a continuing commitment, and is making significant efforts toward the implementation of a strategy, to counter improvised explosive devices, including efforts to attack improvised explosive device networks, monitor known precursors used in improvised explosive devices, and develop and implement a strict protocol for the manufacture of explosive materials (including calcium ammonium nitrate) and accessories and for their supply to legitimate end users."

The Secretary of Defense is also allowed to waive these limitations if he testifies that the waiver is in the US' national security interests, along with justifications for the waiver.

The bill was added to the Senate's calendar after a motion was moved. However, no date has yet been set for hearing of the bill.

Previously, the NDAA 2012 bill froze $700 million in the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Fund.

The full text for NDAA 2013 can be found here.

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