U.S. senators yesterday endorsed legislation that would provide Pakistan with $7.5 billion in economic and humanitarian assistance over five years while linking military aid to the nation's efforts to root out domestic extremists, Agence France-Presse reported (see GSN, May 21).
A similar bill moved through the House of Representatives earlier this month; the two houses of Congress next must resolve their differences on the aid package and approve a revised version of the bill for President Barack Obama to sign.
To receive military assistance under the Senate measure, Islamabad must show it is taking every possible measure to eliminate al-Qaeda operatives, Taliban forces and other extremists operating within the nuclear-armed country. The bill also calls for yardsticks to help assess the value of the aid.
In addition, the legislation would demand yearly updates on Pakistan's security forces from the secretary of state, with support from the defense secretary and national intelligence director.
"This legislation marks an important step toward sustained economic and political cooperation with Pakistan," said Senator Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (Agence France-Presse/Spacewar.com, June 25).