Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – The United States on Friday concluded a strategic dialogue with Pakistan with the announcement of more than $2 billion in military aid to the South Asian country.
Turning aside repeated concerns from New Delhi that Islamabad has been diverting U.S. taxpayers’ money to fund terrorism against India, Washington announced that it would provide a whopping $2.29 billion in military aid to Pakistan to bolster its army’s anti-terror capabilities.
Making opening remarks with her Pakistani counterpart, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the military package would commit multi-year security assistance to Pakistan.
Clinton made the announcement to request $2 billion in foreign military assistance from Congress for 2012 through 2016.
The military aid is in addition to more than $7 billion already pledged. Clinton noted, “This will complement the $7.5 billion in civilian projects that has already been approved in the Kerry-Lugar-Berman legislation.”
Clinton, however, asked Islamabad for tough tax reforms in a country plagued with built-in corruption and widespread tax evasion.
“Reforming Pakistan’s tax system is one area in which tough decisions will have to be made, because it will serve a broad, double purpose,” the secretary said.
“A broader tax base will mean more funding for roads, bridges, power plants, and airports, all essential elements of a growing economy,” Clinton noted. She called the measure a pointer to Islamabad’s demonstration “to the international community that all segments of Pakistani society are willing to do their own part to rebuild their own country,”
Of the new aid, $2 billion comes under the foreign military financing program and $29 million is being given under the international military education and training funding.
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