Pentagon blocks $50 million military aid to Pakistan for insufficient action against Haqqani network

WASHINGTON - The US Defense Department withheld $50 million in Pakistan military payments after Pentagon chief Jim Mattis accused Islamabad of not doing enough to counter the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani network, an official said Friday.

“The funds could not be released to the Government of Pakistan at this time because the secretary could not certify that Pakistan has taken sufficient action against the Haqqani Network per the requirement in the FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Act,” Adam Stump, a Pentagon spokesman, told the media.

The decision comes as President Donald Trump's administration is exploring potentially hardening its approach toward Pakistan to crackdown on militants launching strikes in neighboring Afghanistan.

“This decision does not prejudge the conclusions of the White House review of South Asia strategy, which is still ongoing,” Mr. Stump said.

This is not the first time the Pentagon has decided not to make military reimbursements. Last year, the Pentagon withheld $300 million in reimbursements.

Pakistan has been reimbursed $550 million of the $900 million the country was authorized to receive in fiscal year 2016.

Out of remainder, $300 million had already been reprogrammed for other purposes, but had not been previously reported. Mr. Mattis' latest decision affects the remaining $50 million.

The amount is under the Coalition Support Fund (CSF), a U.S. Defense Department program to reimburse allies that have incurred costs in supporting counter-terrorist and counter-insurgency operations.