Pallone calls for ending US military aid to Pak

Washington, Jan 31: Founder of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans Frank Pallone Jr has called for ending military assistance to Pakistan unless President General Pervez Musharraf certifies that his government is ''making all possible efforts'' to end Taliban.

Mr Pallone has supported the resolution recently passed by the House of Representatives, calling for ending the US military assistance and arms sales licensing to Pakistan in the 2008 fiscal year.

Speaking at the floor of the House last night, Mr Pallone said, earlier this month, Democrats took a significant step towards fighting terrorism by passing the measure, which implemented the recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission.

US military assistance and arms sales licensing to Pakistan would end in the 2008 fiscal year, the resolution said.

Mr Pallone said, ''it seems that President Musharraf is paying the US lip service by claiming to be supportive of the global war on terror, yet failing to take action against Taliban fighters who have set up training camps in the western region of his country''.

He hoped this measure, coupled with international pressure, would convince President Musharraf to take immediate action against the Taliban militants in his country.

UNI