US blocks 300 million dollar aid to Pakistan

The Haqqani network has carried out a number of kidnappings and attacks against US interests in Afghanistan, the Afghan government and other civilian targets. The group is also blamed for several deadly attacks against Indian interests in Afghanistan including the 2008 bombing of the Indian mission in Kabul that killed 58 people. The Pentagon said it was in Pakistan’s interest to take action against terrorists in “as many ways as possible.” 

“We continue to have a close relationship with Pakistan with regard to terrorism and fighting terrorism. It’s obviously in Pakistan’s own interest and the US interest to combat terrorism in as many ways as possible,” Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said. US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter did not give Congressional certification to Pakistan for satisfactory action against the Haqqani network this year, Cook said. 

In the absence of the certification, the Pentagon blocked disbursement of USD 300 million to Pakistan under Coalition Support Fund, which is essentially reimbursement money for the expenses made by Pakistan Army in support of US operations in Afghanistan. 

Meanwhile, Pakistani paramilitary forces have sealed the headquarters of a powerful political party in the commercial hub of Karachi and detained five of its top leaders, after supporters of the party stormed the office of a television channel. 

Supporters of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) rushed to the office of ARY News on Monday shortly after their leader Altaf Hussain, who lives in exile in London, had criticised the Pakistani media for failing to report on his workers’ recent hunger strikes. Crowds of MQM workers then attacked the TV office. They later clashed with police outside, leaving one person dead and several wounded.

India is set to deliver more arms to Afghanistan to help it fight Islamist militants, Kabul’s envoy to New Delhi said, even if Pakistan is wary of closer military cooperation between countries lying to its east and west. India has provided a little over $2 billion in economic assistance to Kabul in the last 15 years, but has been more measured in providing weapons in order to avoid a backlash from Pakistan.