Pakistan Suffers Blow As US Blocks 300 Million Dollar Aid

US Defence Secretary declined to certify that Pakistan is taking sufficient action against the Haqqani network.

The blocked disbursement of USD 300 million to Pakistan comes under Coalition Support Fund. (Photo: AP)

• In a setback to Pakistan, Pentagon has blocked military aid worth USD 300 million to the nation after US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter declined to give a certification to the Congress that Pakistan is taking sufficient action against the dreaded Haqqani network.
  
  
• A ‘potential blow’ to US-Pak ties, the blocked disbursement of USD 300 million to Pakistan under Coalition Support Fund, which is essentially reimbursement money for the expenses made by the Pakistani Army in support of US operations in Afghanistan.
  
  
• The Haqqani Network has carried out a number of kidnappings and attacks against US interests in Afghanistan, as well as Afghan government and civilian targets. The group is also blamed for several deadly attacks against Indian interests in Afghanistan including the 2008 bombing of the Indian mission in Kabul that killed 58 people.
  

(With PTI inputs.)