by Abdul Wali Arian
The Afghan Ministry of Interior and Afghan analysts on Saturday said Pakistan should be pressurized further by the United States in order to step up the anti-terror mission inside Pakistani soil – instead of paying the country a package of at least $1 billion in aid.
The United States Congress has said $400 million in aid to Pakistan cannot be released unless the defense secretary certifies that Islamabad is "taking demonstrable" steps against the Haqqani network, which is accused of targeting American interests.
Passed by the Senate by 92 to 7 votes on Thursday, the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) imposes four conditions on Pakistan to be eligible for $400 million of the $900 million of the Coalition Support Fund (CSF).
Commenting on the issue, the interior ministry spokesman Sediq Seddiqi said: "Even the aid should not have been provided at this level to Pakistan. Pressure should be put on Pakistan, conditions should increase. The issue of fighting terrorism on Pakistani soil must be considered seriously."
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