Notwithstanding concerns raised by the Pakistan government and its powerful military, the United States on Tuesday defended the $7.5 billion aid bill, saying there is nothing in the legislation, which impinges on Pakistan's sovereignty.
"We do not think that the bill in any way impinges on Pakistani sovereignty. There are strict measures of financial accountability, but Congress has imposed those on the US executive branch," Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P J Crowley said.
Crowley's statement came even as Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi is in the US to convey the concerns of his military and the parliament on the Kerry Lugar bill, which imposes strict accountability and transparency measures on Pakistan for military aid to it.
"I somehow not sure that when you have a piece of legislation that is predominantly about building further civilian capacity, extending energy -- electricity to further parts of -- of Pakistan, it's hard to see how that impinges upon the relationship between the Pakistani military and the Pakistani civilian government," Crowley said.
When asked about concerns raised by the military and opposition parties in Pakistan on the bill, Crowley said: "We think this is part of a very healthy debate, you know, that has started within this country, in terms of how to best support Pakistan, going forward," he said.
"Now (the bill) is -- is being debated within Pakistan. And I think -- we think that this represents, you know, the very kind of durable political processes that we -- we welcome in Pakistan," Crowley said.
He said the bill was drafted in consultation with the Government of Pakistan.
"There have been questions raised within Pakistan by the Pakistani parliament, by the Pakistani people. We welcome this debate. We welcome the opportunity to clarify what this bill does, what it doesn't do, and that's part of what the foreign minister is here to try to accomplish," Crowley said.
He said the bill is a very important step forward in terms of balancing the type of assistance that the US would provide to the Pakistan government, supporting consolidation of democratic institutions, expanding the rule of law, building the capacity of government institutions, promoting respect for internationally recognised human rights, promoting economic freedom, sustainable economic development, investment in people and strengthening public diplomacy.
