No firm commitment by US on CSF funds, Senate committee told

Published January 27, 2015
A delegation of Senate Defence Committee, led by its Chairman Mushahid Hussain Syed in a group photo after landing North Waziristan. — APP
A delegation of Senate Defence Committee, led by its Chairman Mushahid Hussain Syed in a group photo after landing North Waziristan. — APP

ISLAMABAD: There is still no firm commitment from the United States for the continuation of reimbursements under the Coalition Support Fund (CSF) after the arrangement expires in September, the Senate’s defence committee was told on Monday.

“The US seems to be willing to continue reimbursing operational expenses beyond Sept 2015, but there is still no commitment on their part,” a member of the committee said after an in-camera briefing by the ministry of defence.

Defence Secretary retired Lt Gen Alam Khattak briefed the committee members about the talks at Pak-US Defence Consultative Group (DCG) last December and Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif’s recent visit to the US.

The centrepiece of US counter-terrorism efforts, CSF provides for reimbursing counter-terrorism allies for costs associated with supporting US combat operations.

Pakistan has been on average receiving $1billion a year under the CSF as reimbursements.

Members of the committee were told that during the DCG meeting and Gen Sharif’s visit, Pakistan perspective on fighting terrorism was shared with the US.

“The Pakistan side placed facts before the US officials -- the challenges, our capability and the achievements so far,” the committee member said.

A statement by the committee said its chairman Mushahid Hussain and members “appreciated the stance taken by the Ministry of Defence while handling delicate military affairs with the US.”

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...