US Suspends $1bn+ Security Aid To Pakistan

The Trump administration recently announced a suspension of almost all security aid to Pakistan, once thought of as an important ally in controlling extremist forces.

The move came a few days after President Trump accused Pakistan of “lies and deceit.” Many U.S. government officials share Trump’s belief that Pakistan has been duplicitous as it acts as a safe haven for terrorist groups while accepting U.S. funding to help eradicate them. The suspension marked a nosedive in the already deteriorating U.S.-Pakistan relations, which first became sour when Osama Bin Laden was caught hiding in Islamabad.

A senior State Department official said prior to the suspension, many conversations were conducted with Pakistan, along with visits over several months urging them to act against the Taliban and Haqqani militants who constantly attack coalition forces in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has also been placed on a special watch list, under the Religious Freedom Act of 1998, due to violations of religious freedoms in the majority Muslim country. Pakistan officials claim that “objective criteria” was not used to make the classification.

The suspension accounts for more than $1 billion which the U.S. government gives Pakistan to share the burden of counter-terrorism operations. Along with this, the delivery of military equipment from the U.S. to Pakistan will also cease, which previously amounted to $255 million of State Department funding. Since the attacks Sept. 11 in 2001 the US has provided Pakistan more than $33 billion in aid to fight terrorist groups in the region. According to U.S. officials, civilian aid to Pakistan will not be impacted.

State Department spokeswoman, Heather Nauert, said the suspension was temporary and “decisive action” signalling a change of behaviour could lift the suspension. Administration officials added that exceptions could be made “on a case-by-case basis if determined to be critical to national security interests.” This stance was supported by a decision to not reallocate the funds.

Pakistan’s response to the suspension, as expected has been less than pleasant. Khawaja Muhammad Asif, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan called the U.S. “a friend who always betrays” in an interview to a Pakistani news channel. Furthermore, the Pakistan Foreign Ministry said in a statement, “Working towards enduring peace requires mutual respect and trust along with patience and persistence.” They criticized the suspension saying, “Arbitrary deadlines, unilateral pronouncements and shifting goal posts are counterproductive in addressing common threats.”

It is yet to be seen how this development will impact the tense ties between the troubled allies. If Pakistan retaliates by closing ground supply routes to land-locked Afghanistan as done after Bin Laden was killed, the supplies would have to be transported through Russian controlled northern route. However, with Moscow-Washington relations on the rocks, obtaining permission from Russia to reroute seems unlikely. The situation would worsen if Pakistan closes its airspace to the U.S.

Richard G. Olson who was a special representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan in the Obama administration said, “Our choices in Afghanistan are already difficult, but if you want to make them even more difficult, continue to taunt the Pakistanis.” He added, “The Pakistanis could effectively shut down the war.”

Some believe the suspension is too little too late. According to Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Wilson Centre’s South Asia program, the suspension would not “torpedo relations” but Pakistan is worried about future drastic steps and the rising influence of rival India in Afghanistan. However, Pakistan’s growing closeness to China is a distinct advantage, especially in light of the $60bn investment in infrastructural developments as part of China’s One Belt One Road initiative.

Only time will tell whether the U.S.’ gamble will ease tensions between the once close allies.

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