Pakistan criticises 'wrong' US aid freeze
"We believe that the move in the US Congress is not based on facts and takes narrow vision of overall situation hence wrong conclusions are unavoidable," foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Basit told reporters.
The US House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the legislation, which the Senate is expected to vote on as early as Thursday.
The bill would freeze the aid, pending assurances that Islamabad has taken steps to thwart militants who use improvised explosive devices (IEDs) against US-led forces in Afghanistan.
"If this legislation becomes law, we'll work with the government of Pakistan on how we can fulfill the requirements. But, this requires us to maintain a strategic perspective," US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.
Pakistan shut down the vital US supply line into neighbouring Afghanistan and ordered US personnel to leave the Shamsi air base, reportedly used as a hub by CIA drones, after attacks killed 24 soldiers on November 26.
Pakistan says it is reviewing terms of engagements with the United States and Nato, but parliament has so far stopped short of announcing any specific measures pending a joint session for which no date has been called.
A parliamentary committee is considering a proposal to scrap tax exemptions on Nato goods shipped to Pakistan and trucked to the Afghan border.
The powerful military, anyway, is considered the final arbiter of policy. It has bolstered its air defence systems on the Afghan border, where officials say 160,000 troops are deployed.
US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta visited American troops in Afghanistan close to the Pakistani border on Wednesday, calling on Islamabad to secure its side of the border, by cracking down on Taliban havens on its territory.
"I think the real question has to be what has been done on the Afghan side of the border," the Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman told reporters.
"Pakistan cannot be held responsible for weaknesses and loopholes on the other side of the border," he added.
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To the people here who think that messing with the US is a cheap no cost proposition, I would like to say a few home truths. The Americans can hurt you really bad and stopping of aid is just nothing when compared to what they are capable of doing. For example they can lean on international financial institutions to not loan money to Pakistan. They can lean on countries which offer aid to Pakistan like Saudi Arabia to lessen or stop that aid. They can bring financial sanctions on Pakistan to not just prevent American companies from dealing with Pakistan companies but also businesses from other countries from dealing with Pakistan businesses just like they are doing with Iranian banks now. Just look at what happened to Iraq and what is happening to Iran and Pakistan does not even have oil as a escape route like Iran and Iraq. The current Pakistan policy on Afghanistan is going to cause a lot of pain to Pakistan and its people. The US is no light weight like India. So be wise in picking your enemies.
Drug addiction cannot be cured overnight !
@Narayan:
Actually you are well on the way to being a failed state. Many in the world believe we already are.
@PS: It's not like that was charity or aid. That was the due share of Pakistanis.
@SK --> "If Pakistan can survive in 1947 with huge flow of immigrants and no resources then it can also survive now."..my friend SK, pakistan didnt surivive 1947, india gave them 60 crores to provide food to pakistans hungry population.
Not a single penny.
@Maryam: You're like the jews that always bring in Israel into conversations when it has nothing to do with them. Don't bring Imran into the garbage heap that is the PPP or the PML N, go pray for Zardari.
@Dawn: "US electorate is dominantly jewish." That takes the cake!
The ghairat brigade thinks that the only thing US controls is the aid. It controls more than that. 33% of Pak exports go to the US. Secondly, in the past even when Pakistan was not eligible for aid, US leaned on IMF to provide that. This support was obtained due to support on WoT. Finally and most importantly, where do you all think that the spare parts of your wonderful army and air-force''s toys come from? Do you think US cannot stop that? What will that do to Pakistan's war preparedness vs. India?
@Maryam: The Pakistani military has first call on all resources in Pakistan; it will never go hungry unless a commander messes up his logistics.
The recall and resignation of Hussein Haqqani on grounds of treason to the military makes it quite clear that the FM now represents the military and not the elected civilian government. Naturally one would expect the FM to complain that military aid is cut while civilian aid continues.
How lame or pathetic can this be? it is their money, they have a right to do whatever they want to do with it. Pkaistan government should have thought about all the consequences before throwing the tantrums...
Our politicians get so used to of this aid that they always condemn the freezing of US AID. Government of Pakistan should levy taxes on the use of Pakistani ports, highways by NATO supplies that NATO has used in the past. NATO has been using all these facilities tax-free during the last 10 years. We have lost millions of dollars by giving concession on the petroleum products that were delivered to NATO in Afghanistan. The American should reimburse all the amount that is spent by Pakistan. That will provide Pakistan with much more revenue compared to the US AID.
Govt. should bring more elite class people in the tax net rather than begging US to help them running the country. Why should we beg from US instead of improving tax-collection system? Why can't we reduce our non-development govt. expenses? We have all the solutions to our problems only if we dare to implement them
Wrong foriegn policies can only bring devastation.Americans do not matter as jewish lobby is taking over.Just look at US Presedential candidates the more pro Israel the better the Chances to win election.US electorate is dominantly jewish.Its all politics.when media plays bigger role than conscious..... more devastation ..Sorry dreams of Americans are dying,you may have still the biggest machinery to handle elections but there is no real democracy.Stop bragging.
If Pakistan can survive in 1947 with huge flow of immigrants and no resources then it can also survive now. Let the govt. learn to stand on its feet. Pakistan also lived in past without US aid. Actually it did better then with today's US aid (right word AIDS). Military should also cut down its extra expenditure and corrupt politicians should stop hiding their accounts in swiss and american banks. Also let Pakistani should pay their taxes. This is the only country which lives on aid as its citizens and govt. people never pay taxes.
In spite of duplicity by Pakistan, US had been magnanimous and has not cut the civilian aid. Let's see how far all weather friends like China, and Arab countries go to help Pakistan?!
If you think cutting off a measly $700 million was nasty - wait until your largest export partner cuts off trade. The reality hasn't changed -- the USA doesn't have to fire a single shot to devastate Pakistan's economy. It's been non stop USA bashing for a long time in Pakistan - it's past time the USA pushed back.
Don't want to do the work but want the salary anyway.Real world does not work like that.
@Omar: "These politicans want it, not Pakistan!!"
The aid that has currently been frozen is the security aid not the civilian aid -so the politicians don't see any of it, the generals do.
Pak foreign office does the bidding of generals - so it is they who are complaining. They ae the ones who have taken the hard line with US (I am not saying it is wrong or right) but they should be strong enough to take the repercussions which they are not.
@hussain:
No one offers us aid without a "purpose". Get real.
That means without foreign aid Pakistan has the capability to be a developed country instead since 1947 are taking foreign aid to keep the country undeveloped ? Does it make sense ? A successful brain washing by the great EXPRESS TRIBUNE.
No Shamsi air base No rent. fair enough
Wrong Freeze?? Boy get your head out of the freezer. its needs to be thawed out
@MarkH: We Pakistani's dont want US aid. These politicans want it, not Pakistan!!
Yes that narrow vision is what has supported you for over a decade while being complicit in performing your part in war on terror !!!! Now learn to live without Aid, as most od the people suggests that Pakistan does not really need Aid !!!! Let's see how long you manage without it !!
The aid has been sugar coated bitter bills which has brought us to a position of being on ventilator. It had to be cut sooner or later, so better to get rid of it as early as possible. US by no mean is our friend or fools enough to offer us aid without any purpose. We should have been wise to use the time as a breathing space to build ourself strong enough against the challenges posed now on. Unfortunately each one in the government tried to take a lion share out of the available funds, might it be in shape of aid etc, disregarding national obligations. We had to live with it, therefore, I have a conviction that, this nation can surpass this challenge as well provided we have a leadership ready to sacrifice first, to lead in the crises situation,
its good for pakistan...it will be forced to stand up on its feet. its a blessing in disguise for pakistan...grab the opportunity. you have the resources and the talent to emerge as a model state.
Oh give me a break. Don't act big and bad if you can't take the backlash.