Bill introduced in US House to redirect funds for Pakistan

WASHINGTON: Two members of the US House of Representatives introduced a legislation to redirect funds to Pakistan alleging that the money was used to support terrorists.

Congressmen Thomas Massie and Mark Sanford introduced the bill yesterday urging the administration to spend the amount allocated by the USAID and the State Department for Pakistan on infrastructure projects within the US.

"The United States should not funnel money to a government that provides military aid and intelligence to terrorists," Massie said in a statement. "This common-sense bill puts America first by reallocating tax dollars to our roads and bridges at home instead of funneling money overseas."

Sanford also expressed the concern saying, "When the American people support other nations, our generosity should not be used to reward terrorists with US taxpayers’ dollars.” A similar bill was pushed in the Senate last month by Senator Rand Paul, who had said, "We fail our responsibilities to protect our country and properly steward taxpayers' hard-earned money when we support countries that chant 'Death to America' and burn our flags."

He said "Let's bring that money home and use it to help rebuild our infrastructure instead of giving it to a nation that persecutes Christians and imprisons people such as the doctor that helped us get Osama bin Laden."  

Reuters adds: The United States could consider ending a suspension of security assistance to Pakistan, if it takes "decisive and sustained" actions against militant groups in the country, the State Department’s No 2 official said on Tuesday.

"We may consider lifting the suspension when we see decisive and sustained actions to address our concerns, including targeting all terrorist groups operating within its territory, without distinction," Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The US government last month said it was suspending at least $900 million in security assistance to Pakistan until it takes action against the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network militant groups.