US proposes $336m for Pakistan

WASHINGTON: Despite freezing over one a billion dollars in military assistance to Pakistan, the Trump administration has proposed 336 million dollars in total for the country in its new annual budget.

The administration has unveiled a four trillion dollars budget for the fiscal year 2019, and set 256 million dollars in civilian and 80 million in military aid to Pakistan. "The budget requests USD 256 million for Pakistan in economic and other assistance to help increase stability, promote economic growth and create opportunities for US businesses," the budgetary proposal to the Congress said.

Weeks ago the administration suspended military assistance claiming that Pakistan was not taking action against terrorists groups. However, the administration officials have said that the funds would be released when Islamabad denies safe havens to terrorists and militants.

“In addition, the budget requests USD 80 million in foreign military financing assistance to enhance Pakistan's counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency capabilities, contingent on Pakistan taking appropriate action to expand cooperation in areas where US-Pakistan interests converge and to address areas of divergence, in line with the administration's South Asia strategy," the White House said.

"The budget also continues to include funding to support America's partnership with Pakistan," it said adding that more than 630 million dollars in civilian aid will provide support and empower the people of Afghanistan.

It also requested 5 billion dollars for continued US training and assistance for the Afghan security forces and to enable US forces to conduct counter-terrorism operations to ensure that the region cannot be used by terrorist groups.