Aid to Pakistan: US waives certification requirement

WASHINGTON:

The United States has removed restrictions on this year’s assistance for Pakistan, saying flow of economic and security aid to the country is in the US national security interest.  

The removal of aid certifications comes at an important time in the US policy toward the region as it moves towards the 2014 deadline for ending combat missions in Afghanistan and at the same time works to improve ties with Pakistan after a series of incidents undermined the key relationship in the 2011.

In July this year, the bilateral ties started improving when Pakistan reopened its land routes and border crossing for Nato supplies in the wake of Washington’s apology over November 2011 Salala attacks that had killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.

According to Congressional Research Service, Secretary Hillary Clinton formally notified Congress on September 13 that the US administration would continue the American aid flow by waiving certifications required contained in the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009 and in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2012.