WASHINGTON: The US House Armed Services Committee chairman Rep. Buck McKeon has called for a bar on preferential import of goods or services from Pakistan until they re-open the NATO supply routes.
In a release of his draft bill of the National Defense Authorisation Act for fiscal year 2013, the US Republican Congressman also called for a bar on support or reimbursement provided to Pakistan until the Secretary of Defense provides a report on “the model for reimbursement, including how claims are proposed and adjudicated; new conditions or caveats that the Government of Pakistan places on the use of its supply routes; and the new cost associated with transit through supply routes in Pakistan.”
The new draft bill has also asked the Secretary of Defense to certify that Pakistan’s government is committed to taking action and supporting counterterrorism operations against al Qaeda, associated networks, Haqqani Network, domestic and foreign terrorist organisations, dismantling the IED networks and preventing proliferation of nuclear materials. The certification also has to cite whether Pakistan is committed to issuing visas “in a timely manner for United States visitors engaged in counterterrorism efforts and assistance programs in Pakistan.”
The draft bill of the National Defense Authorisation Act is stipulated for fiscal year 2013, while extending the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Funds, also requires the Secretary of Defense, with the Secretary of State’s agreement, to submit updates on what their strategy is to utilise the fund, and what metrics are used to determine progress in the PCF.
The draft bill also has a provision that would “limit the authority of the Secretary of Defense to obligate or expend funds made available to the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Fund during fiscal year 2013 to not more than 10 per cent of the amount available until such time as the update is submitted to the appropriate congressional committees.”
The draft bill will be debated on Wednesday, May 9, which, according to a press release, “extends the prohibition on the transfer of detainees from Guantanamo Bay to the United States.”
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Sorry typo error Read "weather" instead of "whether"
Harry stone : I disagree, People who made the decisions and who claim to represent the people are the MNAs and the army who are economically well off and have accumulated enough wealth to face rough whether. The poor pakistanis and the silent majority may not agree with decision knowing well that it will hurt them more than it hurts the affluent.
By pushing Pakistan beyond the limit, America is making a big mistake. There are a number of things that can go so wrong for them...
No we've turned tricks for the US. Now give us the money.
@vasan:
Why the pity. I believe PAK made these decisons with their eyes wide open.
The screw is tightening. As roftcopter says, the more Pak hardens its stand, the speed of tightening will increase. I pity the poor pakistanis,
As the relationship between Pakistan and the USA deteriorates items similar to this will rise to the forefront. Cutting off trade, aid, acting as a barrier to International Funding, and placing restrictions on expatriate money transfers from the USA are things well within the USA's ability to implement. The economic consequences to Pakistan would be devastating. American's are waking up to the fact that Pakistan has become a chronic PIA and there is no rational reason why American should help people who don't like them, revert to extortion whenever possible, and rarely say "thank you" to Billions in financial and military aid.
Here we go again. Rep. Buck McKeon is Larry Pressler reincarnate. If this bill is passed Pakistan will be placed in the same time warp as 1989 when the Soviets left Afghanistan. Let the elected members of Pakistan's Parliament stand up now for what is right. Unlike the MOD it should wave a white flag of surrender. Hold your nerve as knees of NATO soldiers are about to buckle in Afghanistan before the winter arrives. The Agreement in the Night recently signed will never see the Light of Day says Baby.
Screw is getting turned one notch at a time till the desired results are achieved and that depends on the threshold for pain. A preliminary discussion on a UN security council resolution on Balochistan has already started doing rounds in the corridors of the UN.
Before imposing sanctions they should first pay the outstanding bills to Pakistan..oh and Pakistan should increase support for Haqqani Network tenfold. The time is ripe as Taliban have recently begun Spring Offensive and increased support will be greatly deteirmental to occupying forces.
The US demand "certify that Pakistan’s government is committed to taking action and supporting counterterrorism operations against al Qaeda, associated networks, Haqqani Network, domestic and foreign terrorist organisations, dismantling the IED networks and preventing proliferation of nuclear materials."
What is unjust in these demands? After the discovery of OBL in a base, Pakistani establishment cannot continue to play the same game. They have to come clean or eat grass and 200 plus nuclear bombs. It is time Pakistani army decide whether they are with the fanatic terrorists or the civilized world. There are no free lunches anymore. With the finding and death of OBL the money stopped raining from the big bad West.