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Washington, D.C. (July 14, 2011) - The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) applauded the recent announcement by the Obama Administration to withhold approximately $800 million in military aid to Pakistan. The decision came amidst reports of an increasingly strained security relationship between the two countries and allegations that the Pakistani military continues to fund and support Islamic militants throughout the region. According to White House officials, the Administration was also upset over steps by the Pakistani army to reduce the presence of U.S. military trainers and other personnel in Pakistan.

 

HAF leaders called the Administration’s decision to withhold money a positive development and maintained that military assistance to Pakistan should be subject to strict pre-conditions.

 

"The Obama Administration should be commended for holding the Pakistani military accountable for it’s blatant misuse of American tax dollars,” said HAF Managing Director and Legal Counsel Suhag Shukla, Esq. “However, we strongly urge the Administration to further reduce assistance to Pakistan as long as it continues to foment terrorism and extremism in South Asia.”

 

Since 9/11, Pakistan has received nearly $20 billion in U.S. aid, including more than $12 billion in military assistance to combat al-Qaeda and Taliban militants. According to the Foundation, which publishes an annual human rights report documenting persecution against Hindus worldwide, Pakistan has redirected large amounts of this money to purchase military equipment for use against India. During prior HAF meetings with U.S. Congressional offices, Congressional staff acknowledged that there was no real way of ensuring U.S. aid to Pakistan was being used for its intended purpose.

 

In a government supplement published in 2008, the Foundation also detailed the connection between U.S. appropriations to Pakistan and rampant human rights violations against its minority citizens.

 

"The Pakistani government cannot be rewarded with U.S. money while it continues to have a deplorable human rights record.” said Ramesh Rao, PhD, HAF’s Human Rights Coordinator. “Pakistani minorities, including Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, and Ahmadiyyas, face daily acts of violence and discrimination and are deprived of fundamental human rights and religious freedom.”

 

HAF expressed hope, however, that the Administration would put increased pressure on Pakistan to end its relationship with Islamic militant groups and address the human rights situation in the country.