US suspends security assistance to Pakistan

WASHINGTON: The United States has ceased most security assistance to Pakistan alleging that the country has not acted as desired against terrorism.

The security assistance also includes not just the foreign military aid but also the reimbursement amount that the Department of Defence provides to Pakistan. This also includes Coalition Support Fund (CSF) payments.

The expected announcement was made during the daily briefing at the State Department on Thursday, declaring that Pakistan should not be surprised by this reaction. The department spokesperson Heather Nauert did not specify the total amount that has been ceased but said that the suspension would allow the administration to freeze aid payment yet not allocate it elsewhere. "The suspension is a freeze, and does not reflect intent to re-programme funds at this time," she said, adding that the administration still wants to have conversation with Pakistan about what they have to do to combat terrorism. She said that the administration has been blunt with Pakistan since there were other countries that had asked to be strict.

The money that has been suspended comes in from different budgetary sources including the State Department, and the Department of defence. On Tuesday, the United States withheld $225 million in military aid. The suspension also includes CSF payments which amount to $700 million, approved in the 2018 budget. However, she said that there might be some exceptions that are made on a case to case basis they made be determined later.

The White House had announced that there would be more action coming against Pakistan after President Trump accused Pakistan of giving lies and deceit in return of monetary aid.