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US Congress approves aid, with caveats
[DAWN] Both chambers of the United States Congress have finally passed the 2017 National Defence Authorisation Act, which includes $1.1 billion for reimbursing the nations supporting US military operations in Afghanistan.The largest chunk from this amount, $900 million, is available for reimbursement to Pakistain but almost half of it, $400m, has been put out of its reach. To get those $400m, Pakistain will have to get a ’good conduct’ certificate from the US defence secretary. Like a schoolmaster waiving the punishment given to a student, the defence secretary will have to certify that Pakistain is "taking demonstrable" steps against the Haqqani network  of Afghan Lion of Islams.The measures also include a "sense of Congress that Dr Shakil Afridi is an international hero and that the government of Pakistain should release him immediately from prison". Dr Afridi led US forces to the compound where Al Qaeda leader the late Osama bin Laden ... who doesn't live anywhere anymore... was hiding and is regarded in the Western world, particularly in the US, as an international hero. Passed by the Senate by 92 to seven votes on Thursday and by the House of Representatives by 375 to 34 votes last week, the bill now goes to the White House for President Barack Obama ...I am not a dictator! to sign it into law. Posted by: Fred 2016-12-11 |
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