WEB DESK
A powerful Congressional committee in US has placed conditions on the release of 350 million dollar financial aid to Pakistan for counter-terrorism operations with the aim to push Islamabad into taking action against the Haqqani network.
The Haqqani network has carried out a number of kidnappings and attacks against US interests in Afghanistan. Releasing the text of its version of the national defence authorisation (NDAA) bill, the House Armed Services Committee said, 350 million of the 700 million dollars proposed financial assistance to Pakistan may not be released till the defence secretary certifies to Congress that Islamabad has taken actions against the Haqqani network terrorists.
In his new South Asia and Afghanistan policy in August, Mr Trump had called for tougher measure against Pakistan if it fails to cooperate with the US in its fight against terrorism.
Since January, the US has suspended its security assistance to Pakistan alleging that Islamabad has not been taking satisfactory actions against terrorist safe havens inside the country.