White House again urges Congress to unblock funds

F-16s issue

WASHINGTON: The Obama administration has once again pleaded the Congress to reconsider a proposed hold on financial support to Pakistan.

In a policy statement issued from the White House here on Tuesday, the administration cited the restrictions as a move that "would unnecessarily complicate progress" in bilateral relationship. Various Congress members have been critical of Pakistan lately and already blocked financing of eight F-16 fighter jets.

The powerful members now want the country to take substantial action against the Haqqani Network and have vowed to block financial compensation under Coalition Support Fund projected in the defence budget.

A bill has been introduced for it as well, requiring the defense secretary to certify that Pakistan is demonstrating commitment to prevent the Haqqani Network from using its soil as a safe haven, and coordinating with Afghanistan to combat terrorists.

The White House also objected to Section 1212 of the said bill saying it would "make 450 million dollar of CSF to Pakistan ineligible for the Secretary of Defense's waiver authority unless the Secretary provides a certification of the Congressional defense committees."

However, the administration agreed with the concerns in the statement. "We share the Committee's concerns regarding the threat posed to our forces and interests in Afghanistan by the Haqqani Network. But at the same time, it also declared that the officials "continue to engage with Pakistan at the highest levels regarding the need for concerted action specifically against the group."  

The policy statement emphasised that the restriction in Section 1212 would "unnecessarily complicate progress in our bilateral relationship on this issue and would limit the Secretary of Defense's ability to act in the US national security interest."

It further said, "The administration is also disappointed that the committee did not modify the CSF authority to allow DOD [Department of Defense] to reimburse coalition nations that support US efforts in Afghanistan and to counter the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, as requested."

Moreover, the administration also asked Congress to retain the authority to make certain funds available to support stability activities in the Fata provided in the current year's National Defence Authorization Act.