The freeze on security aid to Pakistan, announced by the Donald Trump Administration early this year, has been incorporated in the $1.3 trillion spending bill which will fund the federal government for the remainder of fiscal 2018. The 2,232-page draft bill provides the largest funding increase for the US military in 15 years and makes significant investments in national priorities like infrastructure and border security. According to the legislation, any assistance to Pakistan under the “Foreign Military Financing Programme” may be made available only to support counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency capabilities in Pakistan. The Congress expects the Secretary of State to promptly inform it in the case of any changes to its current policy along with its justification. The White House had yesterday said that the President has agreed to the bill.

Source: Hindustan Times March 22, 2018 10:41 UTC