Coalition Support Fund: Pakistan to receive $380m this month

US deputy secretary of state assures Dar about Washington’s decision to release next tranche of CSF.

ISLAMABAD:

The United States will release the next $380 million tranche of outstanding dues worth $1.6 billion owed to Pakistan under the Coalition Support Fund (CSF) this month, an official statement said on Friday.

The announcement was made after visiting US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns held a series of meetings with Pakistan’s top civil and military leadership.

Burns held formal talks with Prime Minister’s Adviser on National Security Sartaj Aziz, and separately met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Army Chief General Raheel Sharif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

During his meeting with the finance minister, the US deputy secretary conveyed his country’s decision regarding the transfer of next tranche of CSF.

The fund was established by the US in 2001 to cover some of the cost certain countries incurred in the fight against terrorism.

Since 9/11, the US has disbursed over $12 billion on account of CSF to Pakistan. It has released $674 million since the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif came into power.



Burns’ other meetings with top civil and military authorities focused on the current situation in Afghanistan.

The US deputy secretary and army chief Gen Raheel discussed ‘matters of mutual interest including regional security situation’, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

In Burns’ meeting with Sartaj Aziz, both sides expressed satisfaction over the presidential elections in Afghanistan. Aziz emphasised the importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan and expressed satisfaction at the successful conclusion of the first phase of elections in the country.

During the meeting with the interior minister, Burns was informed about Pakistan’s concerns regarding the post-2014 situation in the region. Nisar said Islamabad was looking forward to working with the new Afghan government but emphasised that any bilateral or regional arrangement must address Pakistan’s concerns.

Burns said Washington has a long-term commitment to Pakistan and ensuring security and stability in the region.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 10^th, 2014.