Aid From the U.S. Going to Pakistan to Help Fight Extremists

The Obama administration is finalizing a “security assistance package” (CNN) which will provide Pakistan with almost 2 billion dollars over the next five years to help with combating militant extremists on the Afghan border. This package is intended to help Pakistan make major military purchases which will include helicopters, “weapons systems and equipment to intercept communication” (CNN). Pakistan has been assisting in the fight against Taliban members but recently Pakistani forces have been spread thin due to relief efforts put into place after the floods this summer that ravaged over two thirds of the countries fertile land. The floods in combination with Pakistan having its own battles to fight, in particularly those against India, have left little man power and technology to guard borders and track militants. This is why the United States has come up with a guarantee for large sums of money over the next five years; promising funds in exchange for military aid. Of course there are strings attached, Pakistan must assure this 2 billion goes towards assisting in fighting militants “it can’t be diverted to other threats” (CNN) states one U.S. senior official. With this money there are going to be greater expectations placed on Pakistan to stamp out some of the threatening extremists that have been roaming across borders, hiding out and finding safe havens. Talks about the security package will take place this week in Washington. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton as well as Defense Secretary, Robert Gates will meet with Pakistan Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Pakistan military chief, Gen, Ashfaq Parvez Kayani in order to talk about logistics and expectations.

Works Cited

http://afghanistan.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/19/sources-u-s-finalizing-aid-package-           to-help-pakistan-fight-extremists/?iref=allsearch