Amendment Introduced to Cut U.S. Aid to Pakistan

An amendment has been introduced in the U.S. Senate, the purpose of which is to investigate Pakistan’s relations with the Haqqani Network, the Quetta Shura Taliban and Lashkar-e-Taiba. The amendment, known as the Reid amendment, has the support of many key Republican leaders. According to the amendment, all financial aid to Pakistan will be canceled if Pakistan does not start an investigation against Laskar-e-Taiba, the Haqqani Network, the Quetta Shura Taliban, al-Qaida and other extremist groups operating in the region that pose grave threat to the world. Additionally, according to the terms of the amendment, Pakistan must ensure that these groups not operate within its boundaries and that they do not launch cross-border attacks from Pakistan.

Furthermore, the U.S. Secretary of State would have to certify that Pakistan is, in fact, actively fighting extremism and terrorism. If the U.S. Secretary of State cannot certify that Pakistan is taking actions to benefit the U.S., then all aid to Pakistan will be eliminated. The terms of this amendment do not end here, however.

The Secretary of State will also need to certify that Pakistan is not unfairly preventing Americans from getting visas to Pakistan! This person will also need to certify that some of the aid has been going to the humanitarian and human rights programs in Pakistan which help the destitute and the homeless. No money will be given to Pakistan if the U.S. finds out that such aid is not being used and distributed exactly as it wants it to be.