Pak army objects to ‘intrusive’ US aid bill,says it impacts security

The concerns and reservations on the bill were made at a meeting of corps commanders,chaired by Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani,who decided to forward the army’s objections to the government,in what could set the stage for a possible face-off with the civilian government that has pulled out all stops to back the US legislation.

The generals voiced their concern in a statement issued after the meeting,which said they had reservations on certain “clauses impacting on national security”.

Though the generals did not spell out their concerns,Dawn newspaper quoting military sources said the army viewed as “highly intrusive” the condition that US Secretary of State is required to provide certification that armed forces are not subverting Pakistan’s political and judicial processes.

The assessment by the Secretary of State to be made every six months also includes to verify whether US aid is being diverted “directly or indirectly” to expand Pakistan’s nuclear weapons programme.

The corps commanders decided to provide a “formal input” about these concerns to the Pakistan People’s Party-led government,a statement said.

The commanders also provided the government a window to avert tensions over the issue,saying the US bill should be debated in Parliament. The commanders were of the view that the Parliament,which “represents the will of the people of Pakistan”,would “deliberate on the issue,enabling the government to develop a national response”.

The military fears the US legislation will impact Pakistan’s sovereignty and impose strong checks on its security matrix,media reports said.

Conditions imposed by the US bill dominated the day-long corps commanders meeting,sources said.

In his opening remarks,Kayani spoke on issues related to national security and impending challenges faced by Pakistan. He “reiterated that Pakistan is a sovereign state and has all the rights to analyse and respond to threats in accordance with her own national interests”.

President Asif Ali Zardari has been spearheading efforts to gain the backing of the political establishment for the Kerry-Lugar bill,which envisages providing $7.5 billion in non-military aid to Pakistan over five years.

During a meeting with leaders of the Awami National Party,Zardari,who heads the ruling PPP,said the bill does not undermine Pakistan’s sovereignty. He rejected criticism about conditions attached to the bill and said “propaganda” about this issue is aimed at undermining his position.