Senator calls for cut on military assistance to Pakistan
In an interview on Morning Joe on MSNBC, Senator Kirk said that the Haqqani network posed a great danger to the US forces in Afghanistan.
Senator Kirk said that aid should be tied to concrete steps by the Pakistani government against the Haqqani network, and also that the US should be allowed to strike against them.
He hailed the reduction in military assistance to Pakistan as done recently by the Senate Appropriations Committee for the fiscal year 2012.
Senator Kirk also called on President Obama to look towards India as a major player and to help them invest in Afghanistan. "I wish that a peaceful Afghanistan could be created out of Pakistan, but it appears that the Pakistani government has committed itself to terror."
Senator Kirk's statement is just one of many that have emerged in the past week after the US government and military officials publicly expressed concern about Pakistan and the ISI's links with the Haqqani network.
The Haqqani network is accused of the attacks in Kabul and Wardak on the US Embassy and US soldiers respectively.
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@ RS JOHAR
The only people dependent on US aid are our politicians, they already have foreign nationalities and will run at the first sound of American boots... You indians really believe that Pakistan is getting much aid, which is peanuts really. We have lost more than gained in this war. You can have it all the aid and then DO MORE for uncle Sam, I promise we won't get jealous :-)
@vickram:
well said ( hahahaha)
@Yasir Mehmood:
I think roads in india and pakistan are equally good or bad , both have motorways and expressways, but where india has just leapfrogged are their airports and their metro cities. Massive investments in public transport have made a differnce.
Indira Gandhi Terminal 3 is better than heathrow.
ya its true.)
Pakistan should send some good and ripe mangoes to Senator Kirk and other Republicans to cool them down and thats not a big price for feeding millions in Pakistan who are dependent on US aid.
@Humayun:
We are building our roads alright, and we are even ready for the refugees who are likely to stand in line in Wagah border, once the US sanctions come to force !
Humayun, this is the time to talk to your immigration lawyers, not to gloat about your roads !
@Yasir Mehmood:
May I know where on India you have actually travelled?
It's time for Pakistan to take care of itself. It appears more and more that anti Pakistani conspiracies are emanating from Afghanistan where India has a free reign to send their agents and criminals to attack Pakistan. When a few Western soldiers die, there is a big hue and cry but when thousands of Pakistani soldiers die, no one cares. Pakistan should shut its border to Afghanistan once and for all.
@ Vickram : go build your roads first and feed the poor then poke your nose here. I thank you very much. Namaskar.
@Yasir Mehmood:
That is because the roads in Pak were built with US funds which poured to you since 1950; India did not get any because it sided with the Soviet Union and it had to build infrastructure on loans which were on heavy terms.
Pakistanis were driving foreign cars even during the 60s, while indians were driving Ambassador and Fiat cars. See the position now !
I think someone needs to remind the senator that the money they paid was for the services they sought from Pakistan, so it was not an aid. Secondly, I think Gen. Keyani already offered that US should divert the military funds to civilian administration - but then they should be ready for not getting any favours. Has the Senator just come to Washington?
They shouldnt have given this military aid in the first place. That is the root cause of all the problems in South Asia,. Better late than never.
@Yasir Mehmood
hahahaha
No biryani for you Mr. Kirk
@Indian Having travelled in both countries i can say for sure road infrastructure is better in pak than in india. Pakistan even has motorways apart from the national highway network, the only country in south asia.
@Wellwisher: I believe that economic sanctions placed on Pakistan will only strengthen Pakistan like it did in the past. The nation became self sufficient when US aid was cut off after India's testing of nuclear weapons and Pakistan's response. Pakistan leared to make her own fighters and make due with her own resources. Put Pakistan first and look after Pakistan first- we have already suffered enough because of the wars of others. If the US doesn't want Pakistan as an ally, it's time to part amicably, cut aid ties and rebuild Pakistan on our own. Pakistan can do it.
@Someone:
NATO is shifting all its supplies from Northern Distribution Network. it may be very costly but it nullifies he leverage Pakistan has over the US.
Last time I heard about 60-80% of the supplies have been routed to this route. Usually Pakistan used to ask the Taliban to blow up a few NATO tankers to put pressure on Washinton, whenever US tried talking down to it. Lately, you are not hearing that anymore, are you. Why? Go figure.
US can flex its muscle a little more now and that can only mean trouble for Pakistan.
When America left vietnam it sneezed in Cambodia now it has leaving Afghanistan it is trying to sneeze in Pak. Without Pak military compliance and a corrupt pak leadership the americans would have been buried in afghanistan long ago. Now they will blame their failure on pak - i dont think they will attack though because it would mean the people of pakistan will remove not just ghadari and co but also kiyani and pasha who have served them so nicely for so long.
@rehmat You didn't understand my comment, try to think beyond just US-Pakistan.
We dont need your aid, just get out with your all plans n politics from PAK n stop passing Nato truks from Pak roads for which u r not paying a single doller for Road taxes. your truks are damaging our roads from Karachi to Afghanistan. SHAME ON U.
Senator Mark Kirk is suffering from insomnia; similar statements were made by his colleagues but in vain. I guess the Americans do not get the message “PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN DON'T WANT YOUR AID, LEAVE US ALONE FOR PETE’S SAKE”
Death of PAK military assistance is a foregone conclusion.
Afghans are not fighting for religion, they are fighting for there land which Americans invaded. America has lost the war. I wished if the reasons why the Americans came to Afghanistan were met that would have the best thing in the world but not they distracted and went for IRAQ. Since America is loosing this war and US allegations are driven by General Petraeus induction of additional 30000 soldiers and still failing in Afghan war, domestic political pressure, as American elections and poor ratings of the sitting President suggest they need some story for the public consumption, and finding a scapegoat for EXIT same as they did in Vietnam with Cambodia. Pakistan made "USA" Super Power against Russia. "PAKISTAN" spent 10 years making its country hell for its people only because of USA benefits. The most significant achievements are with Pakistan in fight against terrorism as compare to the whole NATO and the Allied forces. They captured the maximum terrorists as compare to others. Pakistan provided advance information to all allied countries if they had any information if there were any terrorist plot. Pakistan sacrificed 5000 soldiers for the war of USA. Pakistan sacrificed its 45000 citizen for the war of USA. Pakistan is now where most suicide bomb attacks are taking place thanks to USA Coz these bombers come from Afghanistan under the eyes of US forces. In the decade after September 11, 2001 there were 353 suicide bomber attacks in Pakistan. The so called aid Pakistan received and advertised in media 10 billion in ten years where 60% were of collition fund or services provided. USA spend 125 billion for a year in Afghanistan.
@Aamir: "Just like Pakistan is running after China to counter the US, Washington is enticing New Delhi to counter Pakistan. Clever strategy by the US."
New Delhi is owhere in the picture when it comes to this issue. All the statements are coming from the different US institutions - the Congress, CIA, State department and defense department
@Someone: HAHAHA! i second that!
btw this senator looks like an improved version of George the jungle Bush.
Slap economic sanctions They will kneel down before the world
I think India will not be interested to act just as an anti-Pakistan tool. India will like to do more in Afghanistan but there is no entry route. If Pakistan Chokes the routes ( and in any case it wouldn't have opened any for arch-rival India ) India will have limited options, unless off-course the route through Chabahar via Zaranj and Delaram is reopened. You need Iran with you for this. Given Pakistani ports will be out of bound there is no other route to completely replace them. Both India and Russia have leverage with Iran. These two countries are also victims of Islamic terror all that have ultimate links with Pakistani terror infrastructure. US can bring to use all that.
The Republicans are going to put Obama in the position of defending Pakistan --- from an political perspective is akin to placing a heavy stone around someone neck and throwing them into the river.
Just like Pakistan is running after China to counter the US, Washington is enticing New Delhi to counter Pakistan. Clever strategy by the US.
Bad for Pak.
So when will it really happen?
Close all NATO routes. The dog's tail will be wagging again.