"For these reasons, the committee believes that security assistance for Pakistan should continue," the Senate Armed Services Committee said. "The committee believes that stability in the region cannot be achieved without stability in Pakistan itself and that fostering a strong, stable, and secure Pakistan is consistent with the national security goals of the United States," the report said, adding it recognises that some have criticised security assistance for Pakistan in recent years. "However, the committee believes that security and stability within the borders of Pakistan is vital to the stability of the region and to transregional efforts to combat terrorism more broadly," the report said.The committee said in this context, it notes with concern that terrorist attacks continue to plague Pakistan and strongly supports efforts by the country's government to take steps to degrade and defeat terrorist networks and activities within its own borders. "However, the committee believes that security and stability within the borders of Pakistan is vital to the stability of the region and to transregional efforts to combat terrorism more broadly," the report said.The committee noted that Pakistan has been a long-standing strategic partner of the US and believes that the bilateral relationship between the two countries will continue to be strong and enduring.It said it recognises that some have criticised security assistance for Pakistan in recent years. "To ensure sustainability and viability over the long- term, the committee also believes that security assistance for Pakistan should transition to a bilateral programme focussed on the stability and security of Pakistan, rather than the more narrow previous focus of Coalition Support Funds, which were based on the country's support for coalition operations in Afghanistan," the report said.Noting that the coalition presence and mission in Afghanistan continue to evolve, the committee expressed its concern that, if left unchanged, continued reliance on coalition support funds for the provision of security assistance to Pakistan could negatively impact US support of Pakistani operations to combat terrorism.

Source: Times of India May 24, 2016 03:23 UTC