ISLAMABAD, August 1: The government is hopeful that the attempts of pro-Indian lobbies in the US Congress to block the $3 billion aid package for Pakistan will be defeated.
The government’s optimism stems from the feedback it received from Pakistan’s diplomatic mission in Washington and assurances by US policymakers that the move is not administration driven and is likely to fizzle out, reliable sources told Dawn on Friday.
Last month, an amendment was introduced to the Foreign Aid Authorization bill in the US Congress. The amendment, passed with 382 to 42 votes in the House of Representatives, made it binding on the US president to certify to Congress that Pakistan had “closed all known terrorist training camps operating in Pakistan and Pakistani-held Kashmir, established serious and identifiable measures to prohibit the infiltration of Islamic extremists across the Line of Control and ceased the transfer of weapons of mass destruction to any third country or terrorist organization.”
The bill will become law after approval from the senate. Pakistan made no effort to conceal its disappointment at the move.
Foreign Office spokesman Masud Khan was of the view that it “not a very helpful development” and said Pakistan would do its utmost to abort it.
Holding the Indian lobby responsible, he said: “We regret that India is in a position to block Pakistan’s interests. India should act in a more mature manner.”
Pakistani diplomats in Washington are said to be working on members of the Congress and Bush administration to water down the tone of the bill, informed sources said. “There is a high probability that the Senate version would change in favour of Pakistan.”
The US aid package is earmarked for the US financial year 2005, which commences in October 2004. Half of the grant is for the Economic Support Fund and the other half for defence supplies.
Disbursement of the package has been linked to Pakistan’s continued commitment to the global anti-terrorism campaign, nuclear non-proliferation and restoration of democracy in the country. The US president has to certify every year that Pakistan is adhering to these preconditions.