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The Pakistan Enduring Assistance and Cooperation Enhancement (PEACE) Act, carrying bi-partisan support, has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Howard L Berman, Chairman of powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee.
An identical bill is scheduled to be tabled in Senate soon. The bill aimed at trippling the aid to Pakistan to USD 1.5 billion per annum for the next five years is part of the new Af-Pak policy of US President Barack Obama.
Unlike the Bush Administration wherein there was no accountability of the USD 10 billion given to Pakistan post 9/11 attacks, the new bill not only tends to make Islamabad accountable for the every penny spent, but also lists out do's and don'ts for the Islamabad Government.
Noting that certain elements in Pakistani establishment, especially ISI, have supported, aided and trained organisations to carry out terrorist activities in India over the past few decades, the PEACE bill imposes condition on Pakistan not to "support any person or group that conducts violence, sabotage or other activities meant to instil fear or terror in India."
Without directly naming disgraced Pakistani scientist A Q Khan, the bill asks Islamabad to ensure access of US investigators to individuals suspected of engaging in worldwide proliferation of nuclear materials and restrict such individuals from any travel or any other activity that could result in further proliferation, the 59-page bill, a copy of which has been obtained by the PTI, enjoys bi-partisan support. Besides Berman, it has been co-sponsored by Congressmen Ron Kirk (Republican from Illinois), Gary Ackerman (Democrat from New York), Edward Royce (Democrat from California), Sheila Jackson-Lee (Democrat from Texas), Brad Sherman (Democrat from California) and Robert Wexler (Democrat from New York).
The bill has the support of Obama, who last week urged the Congress to approve USD 1.5 billion per annum non-military aid to Pakistan for the next five years at the earliest.
Among other prominent conditions imposed on Pakistan in lieu of the massive US aid are closure of madrassas having links with terrorist organisations and a strict scrutiny and control of the syllabus of these madrassas, which have been a breeding ground for terrorists.
Pakistan, particularly the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, as well as areas under central government authority such as Quetta in Balochistan and Muridke in Punjab remain a sanctuary for al-Qaeda, the Afghan Taliban and affiliated groups from which these groups organise terrorist acts against Pakistan and other countries, the bill says.
Making it tougher for Pakistani Army to organise another military coup, the bill calls for a strong parliamentary democracy and independent judiciary. The US aid after January 1 next year could be received only by the civilian government constituted through a free and fair election.
It expects Pakistan to take steps to improve counter- terrorism financing and money-laundering laws and redouble its efforts to prevent the presence of the Taliban and Taliban- affiliated groups in Pakistan that support insurgents in Afghanistan.
The bill rules that every year before the USD 1.5 billion non-military aid is released, the US President would have to certify to the Congress that Pakistan has made progress with regard to "ceasing support, including by any elements within its military or intelligence agency, to extremist and terror groups, particularly to any group that has conducted attacks against US or coalition forces in Afghanistan, or against the territory of India or the people of India.
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pakistan has been able to fool dozens of US Presidents by taking the money, promising to fight terrorism and use the money to help the terrorists. why does Obama think he is going to do better?
Indians should protest this aid worldwide and hold US accountable for its billion dollar aids to rogue pakistan. If elected terrorists in India fail to represent Indians, Indians in US must ask from there representatives for equal aid for real development in India to uplift poverty, finance the projects that builds infrastructure to deliver real 8% growth for Indians. Least thing that we Indians shold ask is what this bill asks, no more terror attacks. How much weaker can Indian elected administration of terrorists can be? These elected terrorists of Vajpayee, MMS, Sonia have failed to act on pakistani sponsored violence in last decade. Why should India not retaliate for blasts, if US can for 9/11? This bill is evil and will fund wahabi madarassas, irrespective of likes of non-muslim Indians, Americans and peace loving world community. Time to break apart pakistan is not being recognized by Indian policy makers for Indians!!! The gross incompetence of Indian elected terrorists!!
India financing Taliban ? Do you get your weed directly from American occupied Afghanistan? It is the Americans who have been sending money (military or non military aid) to Pakistan, which gets distributed to rebels ! Actually Americans are giving money to kill their own troops. Finally the American Govt has admitted in public that the money sent finds its way to ISI and that ISI has contacts with Taliban. If they cannot wake up even now, so be it.
Manmohan put it rightly and succintly: Pakistan is the epicenter of terrorism. It is under the control of world's most lethal terrorist organization, the ISI.--Danesh Patel
Well, I see all my Indians friends blaming Pakistan for all the terrorism. I believe as soon as India stops financing Talibans, they won't be strong enough to fight Pak Army. Here is India's policy: Keep financing Talibans so Pakistan gets weaker and continue the hue and cry before the world! The world in not stupid not to figure this out!
So far, the pakis have been crying hoarse about the alleged support by India to anti Pak elements but nobody is buying this theory. The only proven fact is that the Pak army
If you stop giving dollars to mosques and other terrorist organizations, whole world will be in better condition, not only Pakistan and India.A 17 years old Somalian origin US citizen was killed in Somalia while fighting for terrorist organization- shows the threats of Islam on whole world- particcularly on US and Israel.
This is very strange that present US administration thinks that Pak will dismantle their whole terror network for the sake of 1.5 billion annually, which they have raised
On paper it may sound good - but knowing the Pakis - they will muddy up the scene
The conditions imposed are humiliating. They also indicate to what extent Pakistan is distrusted.
The US has to ensure the conditions are met. The Pakis are one of the most devious people in the world. The fact that they have managed to pull the wool over the eyes of the world (in particular the US and the UK) for decades is proof of that. Examples of their common ploys are (1) Exploit the weaknesses of pro-pak lobby members and provide exotic gifts - including carnal pleasures. Allegedly both Nixon and Kissinger were provided these. (2) When asked to ban a terrorist outfit e.g. LeT they will happily do so - only for the same outfit to reappear immediately under a different label e.g. JuD. (3) Close a madrassa - only for it to re-open somewhere else the next day. Same applies for terror training camps run by ISI. (4) Change the syllabi of history textbooks only as a facade to the West - the brainwashing and poisoning of the young continues (US, UK, Israel, India are infidels and therefore enemy territories and to kill a Kafir is every muslim’s duty etc..).
All the aids given by the US in the past have been utilized by Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism in India and furthering its single point agenda of inflicting damage to India. If the US is giving further aids to Pakistan, now the onus will be on the US to ensure that such aids are not used for funding ISI or training terrorists who will work against India. Any failure onthe part of the US on this account will be viewed as the US aiding and abetting terrorism in India. The US law makers should make it doubly sure. Pakistan's credibility cannot be believed at any point of time and their politics is India specific and against all human values.