US aid to Pak linked to progress against Al Qaeda, Taliban

WASHINGTON: Amidst growing concern in Washington that Al Qaeda has found a safe haven in Pakistan's tribal areas, Congressional negotiators have agreed on a legislation that would tie US aid to the South Asian country's efforts to stop extremist organisations from operating in its territory.

The Senate passed the bill on Thursday and The House of Representatives approved the measure on Friday and sent to US President George W Bush for signature.

The restrictions on military aid were part of a bill implementing recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

The bill prohibits military assistance or the licensing of arms sales to Pakistan during fiscal year 2008 unless the president determines and reports to Congress that Pakistan is committed to eliminating from its territory any organization such as the Taliban, Al Qaeda or successors; is undertaking a comprehensive campaign to achieve that end; and is currently making progress toward eliminating safe havens for terrorists inside Pakistan.

Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia Gary Ackerman hailed the passage of the significant new restrictions on future military assistance and arms sales to Pakistan.

"The House passed provisions which require Pakistan to make demonstrated, significant and sustained progress towards eliminating terrorist safe havens from Pakistan," the New York law maker said in statement.