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

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