Showing posts with label PK News Channels Hot Issues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PK News Channels Hot Issues. Show all posts
Al-Qaida expanding recruiting base to Europe, US: Report
Taliban and al-Qaida seem to have quietly expanded their recruiting base from South and Central Asia to European nations like Germany, UK and France and even to the US, with many of the new recruits travelling to Pakistan and Afghanistan for terror training.
The Washington Post in a major article on Monday said the new target countries are now struggling to stop their nationals from being recruited by al-Qaida and the Taliban, and have not been able to much headway.
The Washington Post in a major article on Monday said the new target countries are now struggling to stop their nationals from being recruited by al-Qaida and the Taliban, and have not been able to much headway.
Kerry Lugar Bill - read yourself (page 2)
The struggle against al Qaeda, the Taliban, and affiliated terrorist groups has led to the deaths of several thousand Pakistani civilians and members of the security forces of Pakistan over the past 7 years.
(7) Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, more al Qaeda terrorist suspects have been apprehended in Pakistan than in any other country, including Khalid Sheikh Muhammad, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, and Abu Faraj al-Libi.
( 8 ) Despite the sacrifices and cooperation of the security forces of Pakistan, the top leadership of al Qaeda, as well as the leadership and rank-and-file of affiliated terrorist groups, are believed to be using Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and parts of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Balochistan as a haven and a base from which to organize terrorist actions in Pakistan and globally, including–
attacks outside of Pakistan that have been attributed to groups with Pakistani connections, including–
(ii) the massacre of approximately 165 people in Mumbai, India, including 6 United States citizens, in late November 2008; and
(7) Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, more al Qaeda terrorist suspects have been apprehended in Pakistan than in any other country, including Khalid Sheikh Muhammad, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, and Abu Faraj al-Libi.
( 8 ) Despite the sacrifices and cooperation of the security forces of Pakistan, the top leadership of al Qaeda, as well as the leadership and rank-and-file of affiliated terrorist groups, are believed to be using Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and parts of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Balochistan as a haven and a base from which to organize terrorist actions in Pakistan and globally, including–
attacks outside of Pakistan that have been attributed to groups with Pakistani connections, including–
(ii) the massacre of approximately 165 people in Mumbai, India, including 6 United States citizens, in late November 2008; and
Waziristan: 6 more extremists killed in operation, 11 wounded
WANA: Six more extremists have been killed and 11 others wounded in ongoing operation Rah-e-Nijat in Northern Waziristan Tuesday.
According to sources, security forces are advancing to extremists bases in Makeen and Ladha from the area of Razmak.
Gunship helicopters, jet planes and ground troops are taking part in the operation.
Extremists death tally has mounted to over 80 and more than 30 hideouts have been destroyed in the continuing operation for last four days, state sources added.
Meanwhile, security forces are facing severe resistance on part of the extremists in some areas.
According to sources, security forces are advancing to extremists bases in Makeen and Ladha from the area of Razmak.
Gunship helicopters, jet planes and ground troops are taking part in the operation.
Extremists death tally has mounted to over 80 and more than 30 hideouts have been destroyed in the continuing operation for last four days, state sources added.
Meanwhile, security forces are facing severe resistance on part of the extremists in some areas.
Bomb blast wounds 24 in Thai south
YALA: A bomb attack Monday on a crowded market in Thailand's troubled south wounded 24 people including three soldiers, local police said.
The device, hidden in a motorcycle parked in front of the market in Yala town, went off at 7:30 am as customers were shopping for food.
A bitter separatist insurgency in Thailand's Muslim-majority southern provinces has claimed more than 3,900 lives over the past five years. The shadowy militants target Buddhists and Muslims, with victims ranging from teachers and security forces to rubber plantation workers.
The device, hidden in a motorcycle parked in front of the market in Yala town, went off at 7:30 am as customers were shopping for food.
A bitter separatist insurgency in Thailand's Muslim-majority southern provinces has claimed more than 3,900 lives over the past five years. The shadowy militants target Buddhists and Muslims, with victims ranging from teachers and security forces to rubber plantation workers.
Commander among 8 militants killed in S Waziristan fight
WANA: Eight militants including a militant commander have been killed and several others wounded as operation ‘Rah-e- Nijat’ is on in South Waziristan.
According to sources, clashes continued between security forces and militants in Khesor and Shahvangi areas. A militant commander among eight militants killed during forces offensive.
Security forces pounding militants’ positions by gunship helicopters, fighter jets and heavy artillery in Laddha, Makken, Sam and other adjoining areas. The death toll of militants killed during three-day action has risen to 33.
On the other hand, mass evacuation from the affected areas. However, people migrating towards safer places facing difficulties due to non-availability of transport because of the curfew.
According to sources, clashes continued between security forces and militants in Khesor and Shahvangi areas. A militant commander among eight militants killed during forces offensive.
Security forces pounding militants’ positions by gunship helicopters, fighter jets and heavy artillery in Laddha, Makken, Sam and other adjoining areas. The death toll of militants killed during three-day action has risen to 33.
On the other hand, mass evacuation from the affected areas. However, people migrating towards safer places facing difficulties due to non-availability of transport because of the curfew.
Concerns on Kerry-Lugar Bill resolved: Qureshi
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said concerns on Kerry-Lugar Bill have been resolved.
Talking to the media at airport on return from the US, Qureshi said he will brief Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and the Army Chief Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani about his current visit of US and the clarifications given about Kerry-Lugar bill.
Foreign minister said US has raised our economic assistance through KLB that will help our economy grow further. He said US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will visit Pakistan soon and announced. She will announce a comprehensive package for energy sector, he added.
Talking to the media at airport on return from the US, Qureshi said he will brief Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and the Army Chief Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani about his current visit of US and the clarifications given about Kerry-Lugar bill.
Foreign minister said US has raised our economic assistance through KLB that will help our economy grow further. He said US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will visit Pakistan soon and announced. She will announce a comprehensive package for energy sector, he added.
58th death anniversary of Liaquat Ali Khan observed
ISLAMABAD: The 58th death anniversary of Pakistan' first Prime minister Nawazada Liaquat Ali Khan was observed on Friday.
Liaquat Ali was born on October 1, 1896 in India and assassinated on October 16, 1951 in Rawalpindi, various TV channels reported.
In 1921, he obtained a degree in Law from Oxford and was called to Bar at Inner Temple in 1922.
After independence, Quaid-i-Azam and Muslim League appointed Liaquat Ali to be the head of Pakistan government. Being the first Prime Minister of the country, he had to deal with a number of difficulties facing Pakistan in its early days.
Liaquat Ali Khan helped Quaid-i-Azam in solving the riot and refugee problem and setting up an effective administrative system for the country.
After the death of Quaid-i-Azam, he tried to fill the vacuum created by the departure of the Father of the Nation. Under his premiership, Pakistan took its first steps in the field of constitution making, as well as foreign policy.
He presented the Objectives Resolution in the Legislative Assembly. The house passed it on March 12, 1949. Under his leadership a team also drafted the first report of the Basic Principle Committee.
His efforts in signing the Liaquat-Nehru pact pertaining to the minority issue in 1950 reduced tensions between India and Pakistan.
In May 1951, he visited the United States and set the course of Pakistan's foreign policy towards closer ties with the West. On October 16, 1951, Liaquat Ali Khan was assassinated. He had been scheduled to make an important announcement in a public meeting at Municipal Park, (Now Liaquat Bagh) Rawalpindi.
The security forces immediately shot the assassin, who was later identified as Said Akbar. Killing the assassin erased all clues to the identity of the real culprit behind the murder. Liaquat Ali Khan was officially given the title of Shaheed-i-Millat, but the question of who was behind his murder is yet to be answered.
Liaquat Ali was born on October 1, 1896 in India and assassinated on October 16, 1951 in Rawalpindi, various TV channels reported.
In 1921, he obtained a degree in Law from Oxford and was called to Bar at Inner Temple in 1922.
After independence, Quaid-i-Azam and Muslim League appointed Liaquat Ali to be the head of Pakistan government. Being the first Prime Minister of the country, he had to deal with a number of difficulties facing Pakistan in its early days.
Liaquat Ali Khan helped Quaid-i-Azam in solving the riot and refugee problem and setting up an effective administrative system for the country.
After the death of Quaid-i-Azam, he tried to fill the vacuum created by the departure of the Father of the Nation. Under his premiership, Pakistan took its first steps in the field of constitution making, as well as foreign policy.
He presented the Objectives Resolution in the Legislative Assembly. The house passed it on March 12, 1949. Under his leadership a team also drafted the first report of the Basic Principle Committee.
His efforts in signing the Liaquat-Nehru pact pertaining to the minority issue in 1950 reduced tensions between India and Pakistan.
In May 1951, he visited the United States and set the course of Pakistan's foreign policy towards closer ties with the West. On October 16, 1951, Liaquat Ali Khan was assassinated. He had been scheduled to make an important announcement in a public meeting at Municipal Park, (Now Liaquat Bagh) Rawalpindi.
The security forces immediately shot the assassin, who was later identified as Said Akbar. Killing the assassin erased all clues to the identity of the real culprit behind the murder. Liaquat Ali Khan was officially given the title of Shaheed-i-Millat, but the question of who was behind his murder is yet to be answered.
Jacobabad: 19 foreigners arrested from passenger busses
JACOBABAD: Kashmor Police have arrested 19 foreigners from two passenger busses en-rout to Karachi from Peshawar.
Security has been high alerted at Punjab-Sindh border following recent deadly terrorist activities in the country, Kashmor police said.
Police arrested 16 Afghan nationals from one bus and 3 Tajiks from another. These men were traveling without proper documents.
They were shifted to Gudu Police Station for investigation.
Security has been high alerted at Punjab-Sindh border following recent deadly terrorist activities in the country, Kashmor police said.
Police arrested 16 Afghan nationals from one bus and 3 Tajiks from another. These men were traveling without proper documents.
They were shifted to Gudu Police Station for investigation.
Kerry-Lugar Bill won't harm Pakistan sovereignty: Qureshi
Kerry-Lugar Bill won't harm Pakistan sovereignty: Qureshi
Updated at: 1740 PST, Friday, October 16, 2009
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Friday that Kerry-Lugar Bill would not harm the sovereignty and solidarity of Pakistan.
The bill would not entail interference in internal affairs of the country, rather it is a manifestation of the fact that Washington desires to build long-term partnership with the people of Pakistan, he said while winding up a debate in the Senate.
The minister said that he conveyed the concerns of the people of Pakistan and the two Houses of the Parliament to the US leadership, which acted within 24 hours and attached two documents with it to ally "fears about it."
"During my meeting with Secretary of State Hilary Clinton I categorically told her that we will never compromise on national interests and never allow micro-management of our country," he said emphatically.
Qureshi said during his meetings with Senators John Kerry and Richard Lugar and other top US leaders he minced no words in highlighting Pakistan's stance.
He also said that he plainly told them that Pakistan has changed now and "we are a democratic government answerable to our people. "I told them that they were used to one-window operation in Pakistan but those days are gone when they used to deal with one person, said the minister.
The minister quoted Senator Kerry and Lugar as writing in the attached documents. "We want to emphasize that the legislation does not seek to compromise on Pakistan's national security and impinge on national security or micro-manage any aspect of Pakistan's military or civilian matters".
He said that they also told him that any interpretation that does not respect the sovereignty would be against the congressional intent.
The foreign minister said that for the first time the United States has decided to support a democratic government and the bill was passed unanimously by both Houses of the Congress, which manifests that Washington wants long-term partnership with the people of the Pakistan.
Updated at: 1740 PST, Friday, October 16, 2009
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Friday that Kerry-Lugar Bill would not harm the sovereignty and solidarity of Pakistan.
The bill would not entail interference in internal affairs of the country, rather it is a manifestation of the fact that Washington desires to build long-term partnership with the people of Pakistan, he said while winding up a debate in the Senate.
The minister said that he conveyed the concerns of the people of Pakistan and the two Houses of the Parliament to the US leadership, which acted within 24 hours and attached two documents with it to ally "fears about it."
"During my meeting with Secretary of State Hilary Clinton I categorically told her that we will never compromise on national interests and never allow micro-management of our country," he said emphatically.
Qureshi said during his meetings with Senators John Kerry and Richard Lugar and other top US leaders he minced no words in highlighting Pakistan's stance.
He also said that he plainly told them that Pakistan has changed now and "we are a democratic government answerable to our people. "I told them that they were used to one-window operation in Pakistan but those days are gone when they used to deal with one person, said the minister.
The minister quoted Senator Kerry and Lugar as writing in the attached documents. "We want to emphasize that the legislation does not seek to compromise on Pakistan's national security and impinge on national security or micro-manage any aspect of Pakistan's military or civilian matters".
He said that they also told him that any interpretation that does not respect the sovereignty would be against the congressional intent.
The foreign minister said that for the first time the United States has decided to support a democratic government and the bill was passed unanimously by both Houses of the Congress, which manifests that Washington wants long-term partnership with the people of the Pakistan.
Lahore under terror siege, three more places under attack
LAHORE - The eastern Pakistan city of Lahore appeared to be under siege from terrorists on Thursday morning, with at least four security installation under attack.While senior police officials confirmed the end of the attack on the FIA building as short while ago, three other places- the Elite Police Center, the Manawan Police trining Academy and the main police station in the Civil Lines area were being attacked.
Television reports said heavily armed attackers stormed into the Manawan Police Academy on the outskirts of Lahore. Reports of firing at the Elite Police Center (EPC) were also received.
Unconfirmed reports said eight to ten terrorists had targeted the EPC, and an intense gun battle was still on till the reports last filtered in.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik has also confirmed that commando operations were on at both of these two places.
Earlier, militants raided the FIA building, situated on Temple Road, and took several officials hostage.
Five persons, including two terrorists were killed in the rescue operation which followed.
Senior police officials confirmed that the 20-25 hostages were rescued room the building, which houses several government and private offices.(ANI)
Television reports said heavily armed attackers stormed into the Manawan Police Academy on the outskirts of Lahore. Reports of firing at the Elite Police Center (EPC) were also received.
Unconfirmed reports said eight to ten terrorists had targeted the EPC, and an intense gun battle was still on till the reports last filtered in.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik has also confirmed that commando operations were on at both of these two places.
Earlier, militants raided the FIA building, situated on Temple Road, and took several officials hostage.
Five persons, including two terrorists were killed in the rescue operation which followed.
Senior police officials confirmed that the 20-25 hostages were rescued room the building, which houses several government and private offices.(ANI)
Lahore under attack: Multiple attacks rock Lahore,20 people killed
Once again terrorists attacked three security forces buildings in Lahore today. As per reports, unidentified terrorists targeted Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) building, Manawa Police Training Centre and Eliot Force Training Centre situated at Bedian Road. In the first incident, unidentified terrorists targeted FIA building situated at Temple Road. According to the SP Civil Lines, Dr Haider, 5 persons have been killed in the incident, however the building is reported clear now. Geo News Nadeem Alvi said three FIA men have been martyred, whereas a terrorist killed, while a dead body is yet to be identified. On the other hand Ganga Ram Hospital Administration confirmed that seven dead bodies have been transferred to the health facility. Unidentified terrorists also attacked the Eliot Force Training Centre situated at Bedian Road and Manawan Police Training Centre.
According to reports six armed terrorists, wearing militia uniforms, barged in the Bedian and Manawan training centres and opened gunfire after throwing hand grenades.
Exchange of gunfire continues in both the buildings, whereas loud blasts are also being heard.
Police Jawans are battling bravely with the terrorists and helicopters continue aerial surveillance.
It may be recalled that Manawa training centre is situated some five kilometre away from Bedian and FIA building, Eliot Force Training Centre and Manawa Police Training Centre have today been targeted simultaneously.
According to reports six armed terrorists, wearing militia uniforms, barged in the Bedian and Manawan training centres and opened gunfire after throwing hand grenades.
Exchange of gunfire continues in both the buildings, whereas loud blasts are also being heard.
Police Jawans are battling bravely with the terrorists and helicopters continue aerial surveillance.
It may be recalled that Manawa training centre is situated some five kilometre away from Bedian and FIA building, Eliot Force Training Centre and Manawa Police Training Centre have today been targeted simultaneously.
Zardari puts off appointment of administrators in Sindh
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Asks PPP, MQM to bring joint proposal for LG system
By Asim Yasin
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday postponed the appointment of administrators in Sindh in place of Nazims for the time being and directed the PPP and the MQM to come up with a joint proposal regarding the fate of the local government, sources told the News.
It may be worthy to mention here that Nazims’ term is going to be expired on October 16. The decision was taken during a meeting of the MQM delegation with President Asif Ali Zardari at the Presidency on Wednesday afternoon, in which both sides discussed issues relating to the coalition government and the law and order situation in Sindh.
President Asif Ali Zardari and MQM chief Altaf Hussain decided during their meeting in London that the two coalition partners would hold periodical meetings to sort out matters of the coalition government.
According to sources, the president told the MQM delegation that the final decision regarding the LG system would be taken on the return of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani from his official visit to China.
The sources said the MQM delegation had expressed its reservations on the appointment of administrators after the expiry of elected Nazimsí term on October 16.
The sources said, however, the PPP was in favour of appointment of administrators in place of elected Nazims and even ready to appoint administrators in Karachi and Hyderabad on the recommendations of the MQM.
The sources said after listening to the point of view of both the parties, the president directed them to bring a joint proposal so that it might be discussed with the prime minister. The sources said it was also informed in the meeting that all the provincial governments had the right to decide about the fate of the local government system in their provinces.
The sources said on the return of the prime minister, the MQM would hold the session with him so that a final decision might be taken regarding the appointment of administrators. The MQM delegation included Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, federal ministers Dr Farooq Sattar and Dr Babar Ghouri, provincial ministers and parliamentarians.
Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, federal ministers Senator Rehman Malik, Syed Khurshid Shah, Syed Naveed Qamer and Chairman NRB Dr Asim Hussain were also present during the meeting.
Earlier, Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad called on President Asif Ali Zardari here on Wednesday afternoon at the Presidency. Matters regarding the law and order situation in the province and the status of various developmental projects were discussed during the meeting.
The president urged the provincial government to take all possible steps for the welfare and uplift of the people of the province.The governor apprised the president of the current status of various development activities initiated by the government in the province and the steps being taken to maintain peace and stability in Karachi.
Asks PPP, MQM to bring joint proposal for LG system
By Asim Yasin
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday postponed the appointment of administrators in Sindh in place of Nazims for the time being and directed the PPP and the MQM to come up with a joint proposal regarding the fate of the local government, sources told the News.
It may be worthy to mention here that Nazims’ term is going to be expired on October 16. The decision was taken during a meeting of the MQM delegation with President Asif Ali Zardari at the Presidency on Wednesday afternoon, in which both sides discussed issues relating to the coalition government and the law and order situation in Sindh.
President Asif Ali Zardari and MQM chief Altaf Hussain decided during their meeting in London that the two coalition partners would hold periodical meetings to sort out matters of the coalition government.
According to sources, the president told the MQM delegation that the final decision regarding the LG system would be taken on the return of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani from his official visit to China.
The sources said the MQM delegation had expressed its reservations on the appointment of administrators after the expiry of elected Nazimsí term on October 16.
The sources said, however, the PPP was in favour of appointment of administrators in place of elected Nazims and even ready to appoint administrators in Karachi and Hyderabad on the recommendations of the MQM.
The sources said after listening to the point of view of both the parties, the president directed them to bring a joint proposal so that it might be discussed with the prime minister. The sources said it was also informed in the meeting that all the provincial governments had the right to decide about the fate of the local government system in their provinces.
The sources said on the return of the prime minister, the MQM would hold the session with him so that a final decision might be taken regarding the appointment of administrators. The MQM delegation included Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, federal ministers Dr Farooq Sattar and Dr Babar Ghouri, provincial ministers and parliamentarians.
Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, federal ministers Senator Rehman Malik, Syed Khurshid Shah, Syed Naveed Qamer and Chairman NRB Dr Asim Hussain were also present during the meeting.
Earlier, Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad called on President Asif Ali Zardari here on Wednesday afternoon at the Presidency. Matters regarding the law and order situation in the province and the status of various developmental projects were discussed during the meeting.
The president urged the provincial government to take all possible steps for the welfare and uplift of the people of the province.The governor apprised the president of the current status of various development activities initiated by the government in the province and the steps being taken to maintain peace and stability in Karachi.
Carry Logger Bill for Pakistan
Here are some draw back about Carry Logger Bill 2009 that offered by United States for war about terror in Pakistan.
Some of the points of Carry Logger Bill are good and also in favor to improve Pakistan economical position and stop terrorism activities nation wide but overall does it suits Pakistan? This Bill was designed by Carry and Logger that’s why it’s called Carry Logger Bill. Here I am going to point out some controversial points in this bill.
1) America will occupy all nuclear reactors and atom bomb when needed.
2) All army ranks will be defined by USA and no promotion will be taken without US permission.
3) All justice courts will be independently performs their duties without concerning to government issues.
4) America will reserve all rights to attack any part of Pakistan when it’s needed.
5) Army chief staff in Pakistan will be selected by the American authorities.
These five points are most disputed pints in this controversial bill, but other points are very favorable to Pakistan. Now here raise a point that does Pakistan will agree to all terms and conditions of this bill or neglect this offer. I think Pakistan should talk to US authorities to change these critical controversial points in this bill to make it acceptable. On the other side if Pakistan will agree to all terms and conditions of this bill without any changes than nobody except Allah can stop USA to occupy Pakistan like Iraq and Afghanistan. Also keep in mind that USA army already doing Drone attacks on various parts of Pakistan.
Read More:
Taliban Captures US Soldier: Shocking Video Released
Health Care Reform, Jobs, Afghanistan and the Olympics
Vietnam, Afghanistan, Democrats and Obama
Afghanistan: Most Dangerous Place to Be
Barack Obama’s Cairo Speech: Main Points and a Critical Review
Some of the points of Carry Logger Bill are good and also in favor to improve Pakistan economical position and stop terrorism activities nation wide but overall does it suits Pakistan? This Bill was designed by Carry and Logger that’s why it’s called Carry Logger Bill. Here I am going to point out some controversial points in this bill.
1) America will occupy all nuclear reactors and atom bomb when needed.
2) All army ranks will be defined by USA and no promotion will be taken without US permission.
3) All justice courts will be independently performs their duties without concerning to government issues.
4) America will reserve all rights to attack any part of Pakistan when it’s needed.
5) Army chief staff in Pakistan will be selected by the American authorities.
These five points are most disputed pints in this controversial bill, but other points are very favorable to Pakistan. Now here raise a point that does Pakistan will agree to all terms and conditions of this bill or neglect this offer. I think Pakistan should talk to US authorities to change these critical controversial points in this bill to make it acceptable. On the other side if Pakistan will agree to all terms and conditions of this bill without any changes than nobody except Allah can stop USA to occupy Pakistan like Iraq and Afghanistan. Also keep in mind that USA army already doing Drone attacks on various parts of Pakistan.
Read More:
Taliban Captures US Soldier: Shocking Video Released
Health Care Reform, Jobs, Afghanistan and the Olympics
Vietnam, Afghanistan, Democrats and Obama
Afghanistan: Most Dangerous Place to Be
Barack Obama’s Cairo Speech: Main Points and a Critical Review
Kerry Lugar Bill - read yourself
mod edit: title edited to Kerry Lugar
S 962 ES | 111th CONGRESS | 1st Session | S. 962
AN ACT
To authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2009 through 2013 to promote an enhanced strategic partnership with Pakistan and its people, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The people of Pakistan and the United States have a long history of friendship and comity, and the interests of both nations are well-served by strengthening and deepening this friendship.
(2) In February 2008, the people of Pakistan elected a civilian government, reversing years of political tension and mounting popular concern over governance and their own democratic reform and political development.
(3) A democratic, moderate, modernizing Pakistan would represent the wishes of the Pakistani people and serve as a model to other countries around the world.
(4) Economic growth is a fundamental foundation for human security and national stability in Pakistan, a country with over 175,000,000 people, an annual population growth rate of 2 percent, and a ranking of 136 out of 177 countries in the United Nations Human Development Index.
(5) Pakistan is a major non-NATO ally of the United States and has been a valuable partner in the battle against al Qaeda and the Taliban, but much more remains to be accomplished by both nations.
The struggle against al Qaeda, the Taliban, and affiliated terrorist groups has led to the deaths of several thousand Pakistani civilians and members of the security forces of Pakistan over the past 7 years.
(7) Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, more al Qaeda terrorist suspects have been apprehended in Pakistan than in any other country, including Khalid Sheikh Muhammad, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, and Abu Faraj al-Libi.
( 8 ) Despite the sacrifices and cooperation of the security forces of Pakistan, the top leadership of al Qaeda, as well as the leadership and rank-and-file of affiliated terrorist groups, are believed to be using Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and parts of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Balochistan as a haven and a base from which to organize terrorist actions in Pakistan and globally, including–
attacks outside of Pakistan that have been attributed to groups with Pakistani connections, including–
the suicide car bombing of the Indian embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, which killed 58 people on June 7, 2008; and
(ii) the massacre of approximately 165 people in Mumbai, India, including 6 United States citizens, in late November 2008; and
attacks within Pakistan, including–
an attack on the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore on March 3, 2009;
(ii) an attack at the Marriott hotel in Islamabad on September 9, 2008;
(iii) the bombing of a political rally in Karachi on October 18, 2007;
(iv) the targeting and killing of dozens of tribal, provincial, and national holders of political office;
(v) an attack by gunfire on the U.S. Principal Officer in Peshawar in August 2008; and
(vi) the brazen assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on December 27, 2007.
(9) In the 12-month period ending on the date of the enactment of this Act, Pakistan’s security forces have struggled to contain a Taliban-backed insurgency that has spread from FATA into settled areas, including the Swat Valley and other parts of NWFP and Balochistan. This struggle has taken the lives of more than 1,500 police and military personnel and left more than 3,000 wounded.
(10) On March 27, 2009, President Obama noted, ‘Multiple intelligence estimates have warned that al Qaeda is actively planning attacks on the U.S. homeland from its safe-haven in Pakistan.’.
(11) According to a Government Accountability Office Report (GAO-08-622), ‘since 2003, the administration’s national security strategies and Congress have recognized that a comprehensive plan that includes all elements of national power–diplomatic, military, intelligence, development assistance, economic, and law enforcement support–was needed to address the terrorist threat emanating from the FATA’ and that such a strategy was also mandated by section 7102(3) of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-458; 22 U.S.C. 2656f note) and section 2042(2) of the Implementing the Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-53; 22 U.S.C. 2375 note).
(12) In the past year, the people of Pakistan have been especially hard hit by rising food and commodity prices and severe energy shortages, with two-thirds of the population living on less than $2 a day and one-fifth of the population living below the poverty line according to the United Nations Development Program.
(13) The people of Pakistan and the United States share many compatible goals, including–
combating terrorism and violent radicalism, both inside Pakistan and elsewhere;
solidifying democracy and the rule of law in Pakistan;
promoting the economic development of Pakistan, both through the building of infrastructure and the facilitation of increased trade;
promoting the social and material well-being of Pakistani citizens, particularly through development of such basic services as public education, access to potable water, and medical treatment; and
safeguarding the peace and security of South Asia, including by facilitating peaceful relations between Pakistan and its neighbors.
(14) According to consistent opinion research, including that of the Pew Global Attitudes Survey (December 28, 2007) and the International Republican Institute (January 29, 2008 ), many people in Pakistan have historically viewed the relationship between the United States and Pakistan as a transactional one, characterized by a heavy emphasis on security issues with little attention to other matters of great interest to citizens of Pakistan.
(15) The election of a civilian government in Pakistan in February 2008 provides an opportunity, after nearly a decade of military-dominated rule, to place relations between Pakistan and the United States on a new and more stable foundation.
(16) Both the Government of Pakistan and the United States Government should seek to enhance the bilateral relationship through additional multi-faceted engagement in order to strengthen the foundation for a consistent and reliable long-term partnership between the two countries.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES- The term ‘appropriate congressional committees’ means the Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
(2) COUNTERINSURGENCY- The term ‘counterinsurgency’ means efforts to defeat organized movements that seek to overthrow the duly constituted Governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan through violent means.
(3) COUNTERTERRORISM- The term ‘counterterrorism’ means efforts to combat al Qaeda and other foreign terrorist organizations that are designated by the Secretary of State in accordance with section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1189), or other individuals and entities engaged in terrorist activity or support for such activity.
(4) FATA- The term ‘FATA’ means the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan.
(5) NWFP- The term ‘NWFP’ means the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan, which has Peshawar as its provincial capital.
PAKISTAN-AFGHANISTAN BORDER AREAS- The term ‘Pakistan-Afghanistan border areas’ includes the Pakistan regions known as NWFP, FATA, and parts of Balochistan in which the Taliban or Al Qaeda have traditionally found refuge.
(7) SECURITY-RELATED ASSISTANCE- The term ‘security-related assistance’ means–
grant assistance to carry out section 23 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2763);
assistance under chapter 2 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2311 et seq.);
assistance under chapter 5 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2347 et seq.);
any equipment, supplies, and training provided pursuant to section 1206 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 109-163; 119 Stat. 3456); and
any equipment, supplies, and training provided pursuant to section 1206 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110-181; 122 Stat. 368 ).
( 8 ) SECURITY FORCES OF PAKISTAN- The term ‘security forces of Pakistan’ means the military and intelligence services of the Government of Pakistan, including the Armed Forces, Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate, Intelligence Bureau, police forces, levies, Frontier Corps, and Frontier Constabulary.
(9) MAJOR DEFENSE EQUIPMENT- The term ‘major defense equipment’ has the meaning given in section 47 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2794).
SEC. 4. STATEMENT OF POLICY.
It is the policy of the United States–
(1) to support the consolidation of democracy, good governance, and rule of law in Pakistan;
(2) to support economic growth and development in order to promote stability and security across Pakistan;
(3) to affirm and build a sustained, long-term, multifaceted relationship with Pakistan;
(4) to further the sustainable economic development of Pakistan and the improvement of the living conditions of its citizens, including in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, by expanding United States bilateral engagement with the Government of Pakistan, especially in areas of direct interest and importance to the daily lives of the people of Pakistan;
(5) to work with Pakistan and the countries bordering Pakistan to facilitate peace in the region and harmonious relations between the countries of the region;
to work with the Government of Pakistan to prevent any Pakistani territory from being used as a base or conduit for terrorist attacks in Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, or elsewhere in the world;
(7) to work in close cooperation with the Government of Pakistan to coordinate military, paramilitary, and police action against terrorist targets;
( 8 ) to work with the Government of Pakistan to help bring peace, stability, and development to all regions of Pakistan, especially those in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border areas, including support for an effective counterinsurgency strategy;
(9) to expand people-to-people engagement between the United States and Pakistan, through increased educational, technical, and cultural exchanges and other methods;
(10) to encourage and promote public-private partnerships in Pakistan in order to bolster ongoing development efforts and strengthen economic prospects, especially with respect to opportunities to build civic responsibility and professional skills of the people of Pakistan; and
(11) to encourage the development of local analytical capacity to measure progress on an integrated basis across the areas of donor country expenditure in Pakistan, and better hold the Government of Pakistan accountable for how the funds are being spent.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF FUNDS.
Authorization- There are authorized to be appropriated to the President, for the purposes of providing assistance to Pakistan under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.), the following amounts:
(1) For fiscal year 2009, up to $1,500,000,000.
(2) For fiscal year 2010, up to $1,500,000,000.
(3) For fiscal year 2011, up to $1,500,000,000.
(4) For fiscal year 2012, up to $1,500,000,000.
(5) For fiscal year 2013, up to $1,500,000,000.
Availability of Funds-
(1) IN GENERAL- Of the funds appropriated in each fiscal year pursuant to the authorization of appropriations in subsection –
none of the amounts appropriated may be made available after the date of the enactment of this Act for assistance to Pakistan unless the Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report has been submitted to the appropriate congressional committees in accordance with subsection (j); and
not more than $750,000,000 may be made available for assistance to Pakistan in any fiscal year after 2009 unless the President’s Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan submits to the appropriate congressional committees during that fiscal year–
a certification that assistance provided to Pakistan under this Act to date has made or is making substantial progress toward achieving the principal objectives of United States assistance to Pakistan contained in the Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report pursuant to subsection (j)(1); and
(ii) a memorandum explaining the reasons justifying the certification described in clause .
(2) MAKER OF CERTIFICATION- In the event of a vacancy in, or the termination of, the position of the President’s Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, the certification described under paragraph (1) may be made by the Secretary of State.
Waiver- The Secretary of State may waive the limitations in subsection if the Secretary determines, and certifies to the appropriate congressional committees, that it is in the national security interests of the United States to provide such waiver.
Sense of Congress on Foreign Assistance Funds- It is the sense of Congress that, subject to an improving political and economic climate in Pakistan, there should be authorized to be appropriated up to $1,500,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2014 through 2018 for the purpose of providing assistance to Pakistan under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
Sense of Congress on Security-related Assistance- It is the sense of Congress that security-related assistance to the Government of Pakistan–
(1) should be provided in close coordination with the Government of Pakistan, designed to improve the Government’s capabilities in areas of mutual concern, and maintained at a level that will bring significant gains in pursuing the policies set forth in paragraphs , (7), and ( 8 ) of section 4; and
(2) should be geared primarily toward bolstering the counter-insurgency capabilities of the Government to effectively defeat the Taliban-backed insurgency and deny popular support to al Qaeda and other foreign terrorist organizations that are based in Pakistan.
Use of Funds-
(1) IN GENERAL- Funds appropriated pursuant to subsection shall be used for projects intended to benefit the people of Pakistan, including projects that promote–
just and democratic governance, including–
police reform, equipping, and training;
(ii) independent, efficient, and effective judicial systems;
(iii) political pluralism, equality, and the rule of law;
(iv) respect for human and civil rights and the promotion of an independent media;
(v) transparency and accountability of all branches of government and judicial proceedings;
(vi) anticorruption efforts among bureaucrats, elected officials, and public servants at all levels of military and civilian government administration;
(vii) countering the narcotics trade; and
(viii) the implementation of legal and political reforms in the FATA;
economic freedom, including–
sustainable economic growth, including in rural areas, and the sustainable management of natural resources;
(ii) investments in energy and water, including energy generation and cross-border infrastructure projects with Afghanistan;
(iii) employment generation, including essential basic infrastructure projects such as roads and irrigation projects and other physical infrastructure; and
(iv) worker rights, including the right to form labor unions and legally enforce provisions safeguarding the rights of workers and local community stakeholders;
investments in people, particularly women and children, including–
broad-based public primary and secondary education and vocational training for both boys and girls;
(ii) food security and agricultural development to ensure food staples and other crops that provide economic growth and income opportunities in times of severe shortage;
(iii) quality public health, including medical clinics with well trained staff serving rural and urban communities;
(iv) vocational training for women and access to microfinance for small business establishment and income generation for women; and
(v) higher education to ensure a breadth and consistency of Pakistani graduates to prepare citizens to help strengthen the foundation for improved governance and economic vitality, including through public-private partnerships; and
long-term development in regions of Pakistan where internal conflict has caused large-scale displacement.
(2) FUNDING FOR POLICE REFORM, EQUIPPING, AND TRAINING- Up to $100,000,000 of the funds appropriated pursuant to subsection should be used for police reform, equipping, and training.
Preference for Building Local Capacity- The President is encouraged, as appropriate, to utilize Pakistani firms and community and local nongovernmental organizations in Pakistan, including through host country contacts, and to work with local leaders to provide assistance under this section.
Authority To Use Funds for Operational and Audit Expenses-
(1) IN GENERAL- Of the amounts appropriated for a fiscal year pursuant to subsection –
up to $10,000,000 may be used for administrative expenses of Federal departments and agencies in connection with the provision of assistance authorized by this section;
up to $30,000,000 may be made available to the Inspectors General of the Department of State, the United States Agency for International Development, and other relevant Executive branch agencies in order to provide audits and program reviews of projects funded pursuant to this section; and
up to $5,000,000 may be used by the Secretary to establish a Chief of Mission Fund for use by the Chief of Mission in Pakistan to provide assistance to Pakistan under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.) to address urgent needs or opportunities, consistent with the purposes outlined in subsection or for purposes of humanitarian relief.
(2) AUTHORITY IN ADDITION TO EXISTING AMOUNTS- The amounts authorized under subparagraphs and of paragraph (1) to be used for the purposes described in such subparagraphs are in addition to other amounts that are available for such purposes.
Use of Funds- Amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to carry out this section shall be utilized to the maximum extent possible as direct expenditures for projects and programs, subject to existing reporting and notification requirements.
(j) Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report- Not later than 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act, or September 15, 2009, whichever date comes later, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report describing United States policy and strategy with respect to assistance to Pakistan. The report shall include–
(1) a description of the principal objectives of United States assistance to Pakistan to be provided under this Act;
(2) the amounts of funds authorized to be appropriated under subsection proposed to be allocated to programs or projects designed to achieve each of the purposes of assistance listed in subsection ;
(3) a description of the specific projects and programs for which amounts authorized to be appropriated pursuant to subsection are proposed to be allocated;
(4) a list of criteria and benchmarks to be used to measure the effectiveness of projects described under subsection , including a systematic, qualitative, and where possible, quantitative basis for assessing whether desired outcomes are achieved and a timeline for completion of each project and program;
(5) a description of the role to be played by Pakistani national, regional, and local officials and members of Pakistani civil society and local private sector, civic, religious, and tribal leaders in helping to identify and implement programs and projects for which assistance is to be provided under this Act, and of consultations with such representatives in developing the strategy;
a description of all amounts made available for assistance to Pakistan during fiscal year 2009 prior to submission of the report, including a description of each project or program for which funds were made available and the amounts allocated to each such program or project;
(7) a description of the steps taken, or to be taken, to ensure assistance provided under this Act is not awarded to individuals or entities affiliated with terrorist organizations; and
( 8 ) a projection of the levels of assistance to be provided to Pakistan under this Act, broken down into the following categories as described in the annual ‘Report on the Criteria and Methodology for Determining the Eligibility of Candidate Countries for Millennium Challenge Account Assistance’:
Civil liberties.
Political rights.
Voice and accountability.
Government effectiveness.
Rule of law.
Control of corruption.
Immunization rates.
Public expenditure on health.
Girls’ primary education completion rate.
(J) Public expenditure on primary education.
Natural resource management.
Business start-up.
Land rights and access.
Trade policy.
Regulatory quality.
Inflation control.
(Q) Fiscal policy.
Notification Requirements-
(1) NOTICE OF ASSISTANCE FOR BUDGET SUPPORT- The President shall notify the appropriate congressional committees not later than 15 days before obligating any assistance under this section as budgetary support to the Government of Pakistan or any element of such Government and shall describe the purpose and conditions attached to any such budgetary support.
(2) SEMIANNUAL REPORT- Not later than 90 days after the submission of the Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report pursuant to subsection (j), and every 180 days thereafter, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that describes the assistance provided under this section. The report shall include–
a description of all assistance provided pursuant to this Act since the submission of the last report, including each program or project for which assistance was provided and the amount of assistance provided for each program or project;
a description of all assistance provided pursuant to this Act, including–
the total amount of assistance provided for each of the purposes described in subsection ; and
(ii) the total amount of assistance allocated to programs or projects in each region in Pakistan;
a list of persons or entities from the United States or other countries that have received funds in excess of $100,000 to conduct projects under this section during the period covered by the report, which may be included in a classified annex, if necessary to avoid a security risk, and a justification for the classification;
an assessment of the effectiveness of assistance provided pursuant to this Act during the period covered by the report in achieving desired objectives and outcomes, measured on the basis of the criteria contained in the Pakistan Assistant Strategy Report pursuant to subsection (j)(4);
a description of–
the programs and projects for which amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection are proposed to be allocated during the 180-day period after the submission of the report;
(ii) the relationship of such programs and projects to the purposes of assistance described in subsection ; and
(iii) the amounts proposed to be allocated to each such program or project;
a description of any shortfall in United States financial, physical, technical, or human resources that hinder the effective use and monitoring of such funds;
a description of any negative impact, including the absorptive capacity of the region for which the resources are intended, of United States bilateral or multilateral assistance and recommendations for modification of funding, if any;
any incidents or reports of waste, fraud, and abuse of expenditures under this section;
the amount of funds appropriated pursuant to subsection that were used during the reporting period for administrative expenses or for audits and program reviews pursuant to the authority under subsection ;
(J) a description of the expenditures made from any Chief of Mission Fund established pursuant to subsection (3) during the period covered by the report, the purposes for which such expenditures were made, and a list of the recipients of any expenditures from the Chief of Mission Fund in excess of $10,000; and
an accounting of assistance provided to Pakistan under this Act, broken down into the categories set forth in subsection (j)( 8 ).
Government Accountability Office Report- Not later than one year after the submission of the Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report under subsection (j), and annually thereafter, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that contains–
(1) a review of, and comments addressing, the Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report; and
(2) recommendations relating to any additional actions the Comptroller General believes could help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of United States efforts to meet the objectives of this Act.
Sense of Congress on Funding of Priorities- It is the sense of Congress that, as a general principle, the Government of Pakistan should allocate a greater portion of its budget to the recurrent costs associated with education, health, and other priorities described in this section.
Consultation Requirement- The President shall consult the appropriate congressional committees on the strategy in subsection (j), including criteria and benchmarks developed under paragraph (4) of such subsection, not later than 15 days before obligating any assistance under this section.
SEC. 6. LIMITATION ON CERTAIN ASSISTANCE.
Limitation on Certain Military Assistance- Beginning in fiscal year 2010, no grant assistance to carry out section 23 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2763) and no assistance under chapter 2 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2311 et seq.) may be provided to Pakistan in a fiscal year until the Secretary of State makes the certification required under subsection .
Limitation on Arms Transfers- Beginning in fiscal year 2012, no letter of offer to sell major defense equipment to Pakistan may be issued pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.) and no license to export major defense equipment to Pakistan may be issued pursuant to such Act in a fiscal year until the Secretary of State makes the certification required under subsection .
Certification- The certification required by this subsection is a certification to the appropriate congressional committees by the Secretary of State, after consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence, that the security forces of Pakistan–
(1) are making concerted efforts to prevent al Qaeda and associated terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, from operating in the territory of Pakistan;
(2) are making concerted efforts to prevent the Taliban and associated militant groups from using the territory of Pakistan as a sanctuary from which to launch attacks within Afghanistan; and
(3) are not materially interfering in the political or judicial processes of Pakistan.
Waiver- The Secretary of State may waive the limitations in subsections and if the Secretary determines it is important to the national security interests of the United States to provide such waiver.
Prior Notice of Waiver- A waiver pursuant to subsection may not be exercised until 15 days after the Secretary of State provides to the appropriate congressional committees written notice of the intent to issue such waiver and the reasons therefor. The notice may be submitted in classified or unclassified form, as necessary.
Annual Report- The Secretary of State, after consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees an annual report on the progress of the security forces of Pakistan in satisfying the requirements enumerated in subsection . The Secretary of State shall establish detailed, specific requirements and metrics for evaluating the progress in satisfying these requirements and apply these requirements and metrics consistently in each annual report. This report may be submitted in classified or unclassified form, as necessary.
SEC. 7. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON COALITION SUPPORT FUNDS.
It is the sense of Congress that–
(1) Coalition Support Funds are critical components of the global fight against terrorism, and in Pakistan provide essential support for–
military operations of the Government of Pakistan to destroy the terrorist threat and close the terrorist safe haven, known or suspected, in the FATA, the NWFP, and other regions of Pakistan; and
military operations of the Government of Pakistan to protect United States and allied logistic operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan;
(2) despite the broad discretion Congress granted the Secretary of Defense in terms of managing Coalition Support Funds, the Pakistan reimbursement claims process for Coalition Support Funds requires increased oversight and accountability, consistent with the conclusions of the June 2008 report of the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO-08-806);
(3) in order to ensure that this significant United States effort in support of countering terrorism in Pakistan effectively ensures the intended use of Coalition Support Funds, and to avoid redundancy in other security assistance programs, such as Foreign Military Financing and Foreign Military Sales, more specific guidance should be generated, and accountability delineated, for officials associated with oversight of this program within the United States Embassy in Pakistan, the United States Central Command, the Department of Defense, the Department of State, and the Office of Management and Budget; and
(4) the Secretary of Defense should submit to the appropriate congressional committees and the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a semiannual report on the use of Coalition Support Funds, which may be submitted in classified or unclassified form as necessary.
SEC. 8. PAKISTAN-AFGHANISTAN BORDER AREAS STRATEGY.
Development of Comprehensive Strategy- The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Director of National Intelligence, and such other government officials as may be appropriate, shall develop a comprehensive, cross-border strategy that includes all elements of national power–diplomatic, military, intelligence, development assistance, humanitarian, law enforcement support, and strategic communications and information technology–for working with the Government of Pakistan, the Government of Afghanistan, NATO, and other like-minded allies to best implement effective counterterrorism and counterinsurgency measurers in and near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border areas.
Report- Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a detailed description of a comprehensive strategy for counterterrorism and counterinsurgency in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border areas containing the elements specified in subsection and proposed timelines and budgets for implementing the strategy.
SEC. 9. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that the United States should–
(1) recognize the bold political steps the Pakistan electorate has taken during a time of heightened sensitivity and tension in 2007 and 2008 to elect a new civilian government, as well as the continued quest for good governance and the rule of law under the elected government in 2008 and 2009;
(2) seize this strategic opportunity in the interests of Pakistan as well as in the national security interests of the United States to expand its engagement with the Government and people of Pakistan in areas of particular interest and importance to the people of Pakistan;
(3) continue to build a responsible and reciprocal security relationship taking into account the national security interests of the United States as well as regional and national dynamics in Pakistan to further strengthen and enable the position of Pakistan as a major non-NATO ally;
(4) seek ways to strengthen our countries’ mutual understanding and promote greater insight and knowledge of each other’s social, cultural and historical diversity through personnel exchanges and support for the establishment of institutions of higher learning with international accreditation; and
(5) explore means to consult with and utilize the relevant expertise and skills of the Pakistani-American community.
SEC. 10. TERM OF YEARS.
With the exception of subsections (1), (j), , and of section 5, this Act shall remain in force after September 30, 2013.
Passed the Senate June 24, 2009.
Attest:
Secretary.
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 962
AN ACT
S 962 ES | 111th CONGRESS | 1st Session | S. 962
AN ACT
To authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2009 through 2013 to promote an enhanced strategic partnership with Pakistan and its people, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The people of Pakistan and the United States have a long history of friendship and comity, and the interests of both nations are well-served by strengthening and deepening this friendship.
(2) In February 2008, the people of Pakistan elected a civilian government, reversing years of political tension and mounting popular concern over governance and their own democratic reform and political development.
(3) A democratic, moderate, modernizing Pakistan would represent the wishes of the Pakistani people and serve as a model to other countries around the world.
(4) Economic growth is a fundamental foundation for human security and national stability in Pakistan, a country with over 175,000,000 people, an annual population growth rate of 2 percent, and a ranking of 136 out of 177 countries in the United Nations Human Development Index.
(5) Pakistan is a major non-NATO ally of the United States and has been a valuable partner in the battle against al Qaeda and the Taliban, but much more remains to be accomplished by both nations.
The struggle against al Qaeda, the Taliban, and affiliated terrorist groups has led to the deaths of several thousand Pakistani civilians and members of the security forces of Pakistan over the past 7 years.
(7) Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, more al Qaeda terrorist suspects have been apprehended in Pakistan than in any other country, including Khalid Sheikh Muhammad, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, and Abu Faraj al-Libi.
( 8 ) Despite the sacrifices and cooperation of the security forces of Pakistan, the top leadership of al Qaeda, as well as the leadership and rank-and-file of affiliated terrorist groups, are believed to be using Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and parts of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Balochistan as a haven and a base from which to organize terrorist actions in Pakistan and globally, including–
attacks outside of Pakistan that have been attributed to groups with Pakistani connections, including–
the suicide car bombing of the Indian embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, which killed 58 people on June 7, 2008; and
(ii) the massacre of approximately 165 people in Mumbai, India, including 6 United States citizens, in late November 2008; and
attacks within Pakistan, including–
an attack on the visiting Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore on March 3, 2009;
(ii) an attack at the Marriott hotel in Islamabad on September 9, 2008;
(iii) the bombing of a political rally in Karachi on October 18, 2007;
(iv) the targeting and killing of dozens of tribal, provincial, and national holders of political office;
(v) an attack by gunfire on the U.S. Principal Officer in Peshawar in August 2008; and
(vi) the brazen assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on December 27, 2007.
(9) In the 12-month period ending on the date of the enactment of this Act, Pakistan’s security forces have struggled to contain a Taliban-backed insurgency that has spread from FATA into settled areas, including the Swat Valley and other parts of NWFP and Balochistan. This struggle has taken the lives of more than 1,500 police and military personnel and left more than 3,000 wounded.
(10) On March 27, 2009, President Obama noted, ‘Multiple intelligence estimates have warned that al Qaeda is actively planning attacks on the U.S. homeland from its safe-haven in Pakistan.’.
(11) According to a Government Accountability Office Report (GAO-08-622), ‘since 2003, the administration’s national security strategies and Congress have recognized that a comprehensive plan that includes all elements of national power–diplomatic, military, intelligence, development assistance, economic, and law enforcement support–was needed to address the terrorist threat emanating from the FATA’ and that such a strategy was also mandated by section 7102(3) of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-458; 22 U.S.C. 2656f note) and section 2042(2) of the Implementing the Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-53; 22 U.S.C. 2375 note).
(12) In the past year, the people of Pakistan have been especially hard hit by rising food and commodity prices and severe energy shortages, with two-thirds of the population living on less than $2 a day and one-fifth of the population living below the poverty line according to the United Nations Development Program.
(13) The people of Pakistan and the United States share many compatible goals, including–
combating terrorism and violent radicalism, both inside Pakistan and elsewhere;
solidifying democracy and the rule of law in Pakistan;
promoting the economic development of Pakistan, both through the building of infrastructure and the facilitation of increased trade;
promoting the social and material well-being of Pakistani citizens, particularly through development of such basic services as public education, access to potable water, and medical treatment; and
safeguarding the peace and security of South Asia, including by facilitating peaceful relations between Pakistan and its neighbors.
(14) According to consistent opinion research, including that of the Pew Global Attitudes Survey (December 28, 2007) and the International Republican Institute (January 29, 2008 ), many people in Pakistan have historically viewed the relationship between the United States and Pakistan as a transactional one, characterized by a heavy emphasis on security issues with little attention to other matters of great interest to citizens of Pakistan.
(15) The election of a civilian government in Pakistan in February 2008 provides an opportunity, after nearly a decade of military-dominated rule, to place relations between Pakistan and the United States on a new and more stable foundation.
(16) Both the Government of Pakistan and the United States Government should seek to enhance the bilateral relationship through additional multi-faceted engagement in order to strengthen the foundation for a consistent and reliable long-term partnership between the two countries.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES- The term ‘appropriate congressional committees’ means the Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
(2) COUNTERINSURGENCY- The term ‘counterinsurgency’ means efforts to defeat organized movements that seek to overthrow the duly constituted Governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan through violent means.
(3) COUNTERTERRORISM- The term ‘counterterrorism’ means efforts to combat al Qaeda and other foreign terrorist organizations that are designated by the Secretary of State in accordance with section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1189), or other individuals and entities engaged in terrorist activity or support for such activity.
(4) FATA- The term ‘FATA’ means the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan.
(5) NWFP- The term ‘NWFP’ means the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan, which has Peshawar as its provincial capital.
PAKISTAN-AFGHANISTAN BORDER AREAS- The term ‘Pakistan-Afghanistan border areas’ includes the Pakistan regions known as NWFP, FATA, and parts of Balochistan in which the Taliban or Al Qaeda have traditionally found refuge.
(7) SECURITY-RELATED ASSISTANCE- The term ‘security-related assistance’ means–
grant assistance to carry out section 23 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2763);
assistance under chapter 2 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2311 et seq.);
assistance under chapter 5 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2347 et seq.);
any equipment, supplies, and training provided pursuant to section 1206 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 109-163; 119 Stat. 3456); and
any equipment, supplies, and training provided pursuant to section 1206 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110-181; 122 Stat. 368 ).
( 8 ) SECURITY FORCES OF PAKISTAN- The term ‘security forces of Pakistan’ means the military and intelligence services of the Government of Pakistan, including the Armed Forces, Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate, Intelligence Bureau, police forces, levies, Frontier Corps, and Frontier Constabulary.
(9) MAJOR DEFENSE EQUIPMENT- The term ‘major defense equipment’ has the meaning given in section 47 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2794).
SEC. 4. STATEMENT OF POLICY.
It is the policy of the United States–
(1) to support the consolidation of democracy, good governance, and rule of law in Pakistan;
(2) to support economic growth and development in order to promote stability and security across Pakistan;
(3) to affirm and build a sustained, long-term, multifaceted relationship with Pakistan;
(4) to further the sustainable economic development of Pakistan and the improvement of the living conditions of its citizens, including in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, by expanding United States bilateral engagement with the Government of Pakistan, especially in areas of direct interest and importance to the daily lives of the people of Pakistan;
(5) to work with Pakistan and the countries bordering Pakistan to facilitate peace in the region and harmonious relations between the countries of the region;
to work with the Government of Pakistan to prevent any Pakistani territory from being used as a base or conduit for terrorist attacks in Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, or elsewhere in the world;
(7) to work in close cooperation with the Government of Pakistan to coordinate military, paramilitary, and police action against terrorist targets;
( 8 ) to work with the Government of Pakistan to help bring peace, stability, and development to all regions of Pakistan, especially those in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border areas, including support for an effective counterinsurgency strategy;
(9) to expand people-to-people engagement between the United States and Pakistan, through increased educational, technical, and cultural exchanges and other methods;
(10) to encourage and promote public-private partnerships in Pakistan in order to bolster ongoing development efforts and strengthen economic prospects, especially with respect to opportunities to build civic responsibility and professional skills of the people of Pakistan; and
(11) to encourage the development of local analytical capacity to measure progress on an integrated basis across the areas of donor country expenditure in Pakistan, and better hold the Government of Pakistan accountable for how the funds are being spent.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF FUNDS.
Authorization- There are authorized to be appropriated to the President, for the purposes of providing assistance to Pakistan under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.), the following amounts:
(1) For fiscal year 2009, up to $1,500,000,000.
(2) For fiscal year 2010, up to $1,500,000,000.
(3) For fiscal year 2011, up to $1,500,000,000.
(4) For fiscal year 2012, up to $1,500,000,000.
(5) For fiscal year 2013, up to $1,500,000,000.
Availability of Funds-
(1) IN GENERAL- Of the funds appropriated in each fiscal year pursuant to the authorization of appropriations in subsection –
none of the amounts appropriated may be made available after the date of the enactment of this Act for assistance to Pakistan unless the Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report has been submitted to the appropriate congressional committees in accordance with subsection (j); and
not more than $750,000,000 may be made available for assistance to Pakistan in any fiscal year after 2009 unless the President’s Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan submits to the appropriate congressional committees during that fiscal year–
a certification that assistance provided to Pakistan under this Act to date has made or is making substantial progress toward achieving the principal objectives of United States assistance to Pakistan contained in the Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report pursuant to subsection (j)(1); and
(ii) a memorandum explaining the reasons justifying the certification described in clause .
(2) MAKER OF CERTIFICATION- In the event of a vacancy in, or the termination of, the position of the President’s Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, the certification described under paragraph (1) may be made by the Secretary of State.
Waiver- The Secretary of State may waive the limitations in subsection if the Secretary determines, and certifies to the appropriate congressional committees, that it is in the national security interests of the United States to provide such waiver.
Sense of Congress on Foreign Assistance Funds- It is the sense of Congress that, subject to an improving political and economic climate in Pakistan, there should be authorized to be appropriated up to $1,500,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2014 through 2018 for the purpose of providing assistance to Pakistan under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
Sense of Congress on Security-related Assistance- It is the sense of Congress that security-related assistance to the Government of Pakistan–
(1) should be provided in close coordination with the Government of Pakistan, designed to improve the Government’s capabilities in areas of mutual concern, and maintained at a level that will bring significant gains in pursuing the policies set forth in paragraphs , (7), and ( 8 ) of section 4; and
(2) should be geared primarily toward bolstering the counter-insurgency capabilities of the Government to effectively defeat the Taliban-backed insurgency and deny popular support to al Qaeda and other foreign terrorist organizations that are based in Pakistan.
Use of Funds-
(1) IN GENERAL- Funds appropriated pursuant to subsection shall be used for projects intended to benefit the people of Pakistan, including projects that promote–
just and democratic governance, including–
police reform, equipping, and training;
(ii) independent, efficient, and effective judicial systems;
(iii) political pluralism, equality, and the rule of law;
(iv) respect for human and civil rights and the promotion of an independent media;
(v) transparency and accountability of all branches of government and judicial proceedings;
(vi) anticorruption efforts among bureaucrats, elected officials, and public servants at all levels of military and civilian government administration;
(vii) countering the narcotics trade; and
(viii) the implementation of legal and political reforms in the FATA;
economic freedom, including–
sustainable economic growth, including in rural areas, and the sustainable management of natural resources;
(ii) investments in energy and water, including energy generation and cross-border infrastructure projects with Afghanistan;
(iii) employment generation, including essential basic infrastructure projects such as roads and irrigation projects and other physical infrastructure; and
(iv) worker rights, including the right to form labor unions and legally enforce provisions safeguarding the rights of workers and local community stakeholders;
investments in people, particularly women and children, including–
broad-based public primary and secondary education and vocational training for both boys and girls;
(ii) food security and agricultural development to ensure food staples and other crops that provide economic growth and income opportunities in times of severe shortage;
(iii) quality public health, including medical clinics with well trained staff serving rural and urban communities;
(iv) vocational training for women and access to microfinance for small business establishment and income generation for women; and
(v) higher education to ensure a breadth and consistency of Pakistani graduates to prepare citizens to help strengthen the foundation for improved governance and economic vitality, including through public-private partnerships; and
long-term development in regions of Pakistan where internal conflict has caused large-scale displacement.
(2) FUNDING FOR POLICE REFORM, EQUIPPING, AND TRAINING- Up to $100,000,000 of the funds appropriated pursuant to subsection should be used for police reform, equipping, and training.
Preference for Building Local Capacity- The President is encouraged, as appropriate, to utilize Pakistani firms and community and local nongovernmental organizations in Pakistan, including through host country contacts, and to work with local leaders to provide assistance under this section.
Authority To Use Funds for Operational and Audit Expenses-
(1) IN GENERAL- Of the amounts appropriated for a fiscal year pursuant to subsection –
up to $10,000,000 may be used for administrative expenses of Federal departments and agencies in connection with the provision of assistance authorized by this section;
up to $30,000,000 may be made available to the Inspectors General of the Department of State, the United States Agency for International Development, and other relevant Executive branch agencies in order to provide audits and program reviews of projects funded pursuant to this section; and
up to $5,000,000 may be used by the Secretary to establish a Chief of Mission Fund for use by the Chief of Mission in Pakistan to provide assistance to Pakistan under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.) to address urgent needs or opportunities, consistent with the purposes outlined in subsection or for purposes of humanitarian relief.
(2) AUTHORITY IN ADDITION TO EXISTING AMOUNTS- The amounts authorized under subparagraphs and of paragraph (1) to be used for the purposes described in such subparagraphs are in addition to other amounts that are available for such purposes.
Use of Funds- Amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to carry out this section shall be utilized to the maximum extent possible as direct expenditures for projects and programs, subject to existing reporting and notification requirements.
(j) Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report- Not later than 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act, or September 15, 2009, whichever date comes later, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report describing United States policy and strategy with respect to assistance to Pakistan. The report shall include–
(1) a description of the principal objectives of United States assistance to Pakistan to be provided under this Act;
(2) the amounts of funds authorized to be appropriated under subsection proposed to be allocated to programs or projects designed to achieve each of the purposes of assistance listed in subsection ;
(3) a description of the specific projects and programs for which amounts authorized to be appropriated pursuant to subsection are proposed to be allocated;
(4) a list of criteria and benchmarks to be used to measure the effectiveness of projects described under subsection , including a systematic, qualitative, and where possible, quantitative basis for assessing whether desired outcomes are achieved and a timeline for completion of each project and program;
(5) a description of the role to be played by Pakistani national, regional, and local officials and members of Pakistani civil society and local private sector, civic, religious, and tribal leaders in helping to identify and implement programs and projects for which assistance is to be provided under this Act, and of consultations with such representatives in developing the strategy;
a description of all amounts made available for assistance to Pakistan during fiscal year 2009 prior to submission of the report, including a description of each project or program for which funds were made available and the amounts allocated to each such program or project;
(7) a description of the steps taken, or to be taken, to ensure assistance provided under this Act is not awarded to individuals or entities affiliated with terrorist organizations; and
( 8 ) a projection of the levels of assistance to be provided to Pakistan under this Act, broken down into the following categories as described in the annual ‘Report on the Criteria and Methodology for Determining the Eligibility of Candidate Countries for Millennium Challenge Account Assistance’:
Civil liberties.
Political rights.
Voice and accountability.
Government effectiveness.
Rule of law.
Control of corruption.
Immunization rates.
Public expenditure on health.
Girls’ primary education completion rate.
(J) Public expenditure on primary education.
Natural resource management.
Business start-up.
Land rights and access.
Trade policy.
Regulatory quality.
Inflation control.
(Q) Fiscal policy.
Notification Requirements-
(1) NOTICE OF ASSISTANCE FOR BUDGET SUPPORT- The President shall notify the appropriate congressional committees not later than 15 days before obligating any assistance under this section as budgetary support to the Government of Pakistan or any element of such Government and shall describe the purpose and conditions attached to any such budgetary support.
(2) SEMIANNUAL REPORT- Not later than 90 days after the submission of the Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report pursuant to subsection (j), and every 180 days thereafter, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that describes the assistance provided under this section. The report shall include–
a description of all assistance provided pursuant to this Act since the submission of the last report, including each program or project for which assistance was provided and the amount of assistance provided for each program or project;
a description of all assistance provided pursuant to this Act, including–
the total amount of assistance provided for each of the purposes described in subsection ; and
(ii) the total amount of assistance allocated to programs or projects in each region in Pakistan;
a list of persons or entities from the United States or other countries that have received funds in excess of $100,000 to conduct projects under this section during the period covered by the report, which may be included in a classified annex, if necessary to avoid a security risk, and a justification for the classification;
an assessment of the effectiveness of assistance provided pursuant to this Act during the period covered by the report in achieving desired objectives and outcomes, measured on the basis of the criteria contained in the Pakistan Assistant Strategy Report pursuant to subsection (j)(4);
a description of–
the programs and projects for which amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection are proposed to be allocated during the 180-day period after the submission of the report;
(ii) the relationship of such programs and projects to the purposes of assistance described in subsection ; and
(iii) the amounts proposed to be allocated to each such program or project;
a description of any shortfall in United States financial, physical, technical, or human resources that hinder the effective use and monitoring of such funds;
a description of any negative impact, including the absorptive capacity of the region for which the resources are intended, of United States bilateral or multilateral assistance and recommendations for modification of funding, if any;
any incidents or reports of waste, fraud, and abuse of expenditures under this section;
the amount of funds appropriated pursuant to subsection that were used during the reporting period for administrative expenses or for audits and program reviews pursuant to the authority under subsection ;
(J) a description of the expenditures made from any Chief of Mission Fund established pursuant to subsection (3) during the period covered by the report, the purposes for which such expenditures were made, and a list of the recipients of any expenditures from the Chief of Mission Fund in excess of $10,000; and
an accounting of assistance provided to Pakistan under this Act, broken down into the categories set forth in subsection (j)( 8 ).
Government Accountability Office Report- Not later than one year after the submission of the Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report under subsection (j), and annually thereafter, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that contains–
(1) a review of, and comments addressing, the Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report; and
(2) recommendations relating to any additional actions the Comptroller General believes could help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of United States efforts to meet the objectives of this Act.
Sense of Congress on Funding of Priorities- It is the sense of Congress that, as a general principle, the Government of Pakistan should allocate a greater portion of its budget to the recurrent costs associated with education, health, and other priorities described in this section.
Consultation Requirement- The President shall consult the appropriate congressional committees on the strategy in subsection (j), including criteria and benchmarks developed under paragraph (4) of such subsection, not later than 15 days before obligating any assistance under this section.
SEC. 6. LIMITATION ON CERTAIN ASSISTANCE.
Limitation on Certain Military Assistance- Beginning in fiscal year 2010, no grant assistance to carry out section 23 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2763) and no assistance under chapter 2 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2311 et seq.) may be provided to Pakistan in a fiscal year until the Secretary of State makes the certification required under subsection .
Limitation on Arms Transfers- Beginning in fiscal year 2012, no letter of offer to sell major defense equipment to Pakistan may be issued pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.) and no license to export major defense equipment to Pakistan may be issued pursuant to such Act in a fiscal year until the Secretary of State makes the certification required under subsection .
Certification- The certification required by this subsection is a certification to the appropriate congressional committees by the Secretary of State, after consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence, that the security forces of Pakistan–
(1) are making concerted efforts to prevent al Qaeda and associated terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, from operating in the territory of Pakistan;
(2) are making concerted efforts to prevent the Taliban and associated militant groups from using the territory of Pakistan as a sanctuary from which to launch attacks within Afghanistan; and
(3) are not materially interfering in the political or judicial processes of Pakistan.
Waiver- The Secretary of State may waive the limitations in subsections and if the Secretary determines it is important to the national security interests of the United States to provide such waiver.
Prior Notice of Waiver- A waiver pursuant to subsection may not be exercised until 15 days after the Secretary of State provides to the appropriate congressional committees written notice of the intent to issue such waiver and the reasons therefor. The notice may be submitted in classified or unclassified form, as necessary.
Annual Report- The Secretary of State, after consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees an annual report on the progress of the security forces of Pakistan in satisfying the requirements enumerated in subsection . The Secretary of State shall establish detailed, specific requirements and metrics for evaluating the progress in satisfying these requirements and apply these requirements and metrics consistently in each annual report. This report may be submitted in classified or unclassified form, as necessary.
SEC. 7. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON COALITION SUPPORT FUNDS.
It is the sense of Congress that–
(1) Coalition Support Funds are critical components of the global fight against terrorism, and in Pakistan provide essential support for–
military operations of the Government of Pakistan to destroy the terrorist threat and close the terrorist safe haven, known or suspected, in the FATA, the NWFP, and other regions of Pakistan; and
military operations of the Government of Pakistan to protect United States and allied logistic operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan;
(2) despite the broad discretion Congress granted the Secretary of Defense in terms of managing Coalition Support Funds, the Pakistan reimbursement claims process for Coalition Support Funds requires increased oversight and accountability, consistent with the conclusions of the June 2008 report of the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO-08-806);
(3) in order to ensure that this significant United States effort in support of countering terrorism in Pakistan effectively ensures the intended use of Coalition Support Funds, and to avoid redundancy in other security assistance programs, such as Foreign Military Financing and Foreign Military Sales, more specific guidance should be generated, and accountability delineated, for officials associated with oversight of this program within the United States Embassy in Pakistan, the United States Central Command, the Department of Defense, the Department of State, and the Office of Management and Budget; and
(4) the Secretary of Defense should submit to the appropriate congressional committees and the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a semiannual report on the use of Coalition Support Funds, which may be submitted in classified or unclassified form as necessary.
SEC. 8. PAKISTAN-AFGHANISTAN BORDER AREAS STRATEGY.
Development of Comprehensive Strategy- The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Director of National Intelligence, and such other government officials as may be appropriate, shall develop a comprehensive, cross-border strategy that includes all elements of national power–diplomatic, military, intelligence, development assistance, humanitarian, law enforcement support, and strategic communications and information technology–for working with the Government of Pakistan, the Government of Afghanistan, NATO, and other like-minded allies to best implement effective counterterrorism and counterinsurgency measurers in and near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border areas.
Report- Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a detailed description of a comprehensive strategy for counterterrorism and counterinsurgency in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border areas containing the elements specified in subsection and proposed timelines and budgets for implementing the strategy.
SEC. 9. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that the United States should–
(1) recognize the bold political steps the Pakistan electorate has taken during a time of heightened sensitivity and tension in 2007 and 2008 to elect a new civilian government, as well as the continued quest for good governance and the rule of law under the elected government in 2008 and 2009;
(2) seize this strategic opportunity in the interests of Pakistan as well as in the national security interests of the United States to expand its engagement with the Government and people of Pakistan in areas of particular interest and importance to the people of Pakistan;
(3) continue to build a responsible and reciprocal security relationship taking into account the national security interests of the United States as well as regional and national dynamics in Pakistan to further strengthen and enable the position of Pakistan as a major non-NATO ally;
(4) seek ways to strengthen our countries’ mutual understanding and promote greater insight and knowledge of each other’s social, cultural and historical diversity through personnel exchanges and support for the establishment of institutions of higher learning with international accreditation; and
(5) explore means to consult with and utilize the relevant expertise and skills of the Pakistani-American community.
SEC. 10. TERM OF YEARS.
With the exception of subsections (1), (j), , and of section 5, this Act shall remain in force after September 30, 2013.
Passed the Senate June 24, 2009.
Attest:
Secretary.
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 962
AN ACT
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