News Guru on US Sets Limits

US Sets Limits

 

Omnibus Bill Withholds $50 Million Until US Confirms Islamabad Is Reinstating Rights

$200 mln cash payments converted into USAID programmes
Use of remaining $250 mln restricted for counter-terrorism and law enforcement activities
Pakistan may not be able to use US military funds to pay for F-16s
Release of $50 mln linked with making concerted efforts against terrorist havens, democratic reforms, freedom of assembly and expression, release of political detainees, ending harassment and detention of journalists, human rights defenders and government critics, and restoring an independent judiciary
Omnibus Bill on Pakistan:
$50 mln may be made available for such purposes after the Secretary of State reports to the Committees on Appropriations that the Government of Pakistan-

(1) is making concerted efforts to prevent Al Qaeda and associated terrorist groups from operating in the territory of Pakistan, including by eliminating terrorist training camps or facilities, arresting members of AI Qaeda and associated terrorist
groups, and countering recruitment efforts;
(2) is making concerted efforts to prevent the Taliban from using the territory of Pakistan as a sanctuary from which to launch attacks within Afghanistan, including by arresting Taliban leaders, stopping cross-border incursions, and countering recruitment efforts; and
(3) is implementing democratic reforms, including -


(A) restoring the Constitution of Pakistan and ensuring freedoms of expression and assembly and other civil liberties guaranteed by the Constitution;


(B) releasing political detainees and allowing inclusive democratic elections;


(C) ending harassment and detention of journalists, human rights defenders and government critics by security and intelligence forces; and


(D) restoring an independent judiciary and ending interference in the judicial process.

(c) Of the funds appropriated by this Act under the heading "Economic Support Fund" for assistance for Pakistan, up to $5,000,000 may be used for administrative expenses of the United States Agency for International Development: Provided, That none of the funds appropriated by this Act may be made available for cash transfer assistance for Pakistan.

 

 

Part I----------- Politics of Sindh

 

 

 

Political parties in Sindh and Punjab demand suspension of local governments and timely resolution of complaints- NDI

 

Parties concerned about use of state resources by local government during elections-

 

Nazims using money and police to support candidates of one party- Opposition

 

Candidates still complain about non-availability of printed voters' lists

 

Representatives of PML (Q) and MQM reject all allegations

 

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N A D E E M M A L I K
CNBC PAKISTAN
BUREAU CHIEF
ISLAMABAD
0321-5117511
nadeem.malik@hotmail.com
16^th Floor, Saudi Pak Tower, 61-A Jinnah Avenue, Islamabad. 051-2800113-14, Fax: 051-2800118
 

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