The US State Department is seeking $8.7 billion next fiscal year to fund its civilian missions in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq. — File Photo

WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned on Thursday that the consequences of walking away from Pakistan were always disastrous.

“There are many challenges confronting us, but we know what happens when we walk away from Pakistan. We did it before, and the results, unfortunately, were quite dire for us,” she warned.

The United States suspended its economic and military assistance to Pakistan in 1990 over its nuclear programme. Senior US officials and regional experts now admit that the sanctions created a situation that allowed groups like the Taliban and Al Qaeda to flourish. A resolution moved in the US House of Representatives earlier this week urges Pakistan to release CIA contractor Raymond Davis or brace itself for a freeze on all monetary assistance. Secretary Clinton, however, opposes such sanctions, warning that doing so would hurt US interests.

Referring to a 16 per cent cut slapped last month by the House of Representatives on US foreign assistance, she told an appropriations subcommittee: “It will be very difficult for us… to absorb” the impact of this cut, particularly in places like Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq.

The US State Department is seeking $8.7 billion next fiscal year to fund its civilian missions in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq.

“We do have Al Qaeda under pressure as never before,” she told the panel. “Our military commanders literally tell me every week that we cannot succeed without a strong civilian partner for our military efforts.”