US Suspends $1.6 bn Security Aid to Pakistan
The United States has suspended $1.66 billion in security assistance to Pakistan, following President Donald Trump’s directive in this regard early this year, the Pentagon said.
The United States has suspended $1.66 billion in security assistance to Pakistan, following President Donald Trump’s directive in this regard early this year, the Pentagon said.
“$1.66 billion of security assistance to Pakistan is suspended,” Col Rob Manning, spokesman of the US Department of Defense told reporters on Tuesday.
According to David Sedney, who served as Deputy Assistant Secretary Defense for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia during the previous Obama administration, the blocking of military assistance to Pakistan, which began in January of this year is a strong signal of American frustration.
“But, so far Pakistan has taken no serious steps to address the core US concern – that Pakistan tolerates and often encourages groups which use violence against Pakistan’s neighbours,” Sedney told PTI.
“Pakistan’s leaders have promised cooperation, but beyond words, serious cooperation has not happened, therefore President Trump is frustrated and so are most Americans,” he added.
This comes as the US president Donald Trump and Pakistani PM Imran Khan have recently taken firm stance against each other.
