US Congress approves $400m Pakistan aid, links action against Haqqani network

US Congress approves $400m Pakistan aid, links action against Haqqani network

Washington: United States (US) Congress on Friday 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 Pakistan but almost half of it, $400m, has been put out of its reach, by linking it to measures against Haqqani network.

The US Congress said Pakistan will only be granted this aid, when US Secretary of Defence Ash Carter certifies that Islamabad is taking visible steps against the militant network.

The US House of Representatives adopted the bill for conditional aid to Pakistan with 375 votes in its favour, compared to 34 in opposition. In Senate, the bill was passed by 92 to 7 votes.

The bill will now be sent to President Barack Obama for approval, and if signed, it will become law.