US cuts $650 million off Pak aid

Budget hawks among Republicans sought to press for further reductions because of conservative anger at the Pakistan government.

The US House has agreed to a $650 million cut in Pakistani military aid with the intention of reducing the country’s funds by half. Budget hawks among Republicans sought to press for further reductions because of conservative anger at the Pakistan government.

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Representative Ted Poe had demanded a $1.3 billion cut, but later settled for the $650 million cut. Representative Norman Dicks, the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, appeared to agree to the compromise, since it was approved by a voice vote, reports Politico.

"It is time for a new strategy with Pakistan...More money is not going to solve the problem. ... Pakistan is playing America," said Poe, who described Pakistan as "Benedict Arnold"- the famous US turncoat who spied for Britain in the American war for independence.

The step was not reassuring for the Obama administration as it tries to rebuild relations with Pakistan, especially after secretary of state Hillary Clinton’s recent efforts to bridge the gap with the country, the report said.

The action came as the House took up the underlying bill, a $608.2 billion defense appropriations measure for the coming year, including $88.2 billion in emergency funds for overseas contingency operations, chiefly in the Afghanistan and Pakistan theater.

In addition to the $650 million for Pakistan, the House voted 228-191 to separately take $175 million from an infrastructure funds to assist Afghanistan. US has conventionally halted or reduced foreign aid to countries that do not meet conditions.