US House passes Pak aid bill with strict conditions

A divided House of Representatives passed a bill proposing to triple the US aid to Pak after imposing strict accountability conditions.

A divided House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill proposing to triple the US aid to Pakistan to a whopping USD 1.5 billion per annum after imposing strict accountability conditions on Islamabad on its fight against terrorism and nuclear non-proliferation.

Before the House passed the Pakistan Enduring Assistance and Cooperation Enhancement (PEACE) Act 2009 by a roll call vote of 234 to 185,Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Horward Berman said the legislation will help to lay the foundation for a stronger and more stable Pakistan.

Pakistan will get USD 1.5 billion a year for each of the next five years as part of the US’ strategy to combat extremism with economic and social development there.

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“We are simply asking Pakistan to follow through with the commitments it has already made. And in the process,we lay down an important marker that Congress will no longer provide a blank cheque,” Berman said.

“We fully appreciate the urgency of the situation in Pakistan,and the need for appropriate flexibility,” Berman,who is the main sponsor of the bill,said.

To ensure that US assistance is truly benefiting the people of Pakistan,the legislation requires rigorous oversight and auditing,the lawmaker said.

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