Pakistan must prove willingness to act against extremism prior to aid: US Senator

Washington, Apr.1 (ANI): While the Obama Administration is mulling plans to dispatch at least 1.5 billion dollars in aid to Pakistan, Democrat Senator Carl Levin has said that Pakistan must be made accountable for all the help it receives, and that it should prove its willingness to curb the increasing extremism inside its territory.

Talking to reporters here, Levin said stability could not be bought in the region unless Pakistan acts sincerely against terror camps based on its soil.

"Pakistan has not displayed the political will to go after extremists, and instead is more inclined to try and buy peace with people I don't think you can buy peace with," The Dawn quoted Levin, as saying.

"I have no reluctance in purchasing stability if it's effective. But I don't think it's effective unless the recipient of the support sees where the threat is to them. I think otherwise it can backfire," he added.

Levin said he is not against President Obama's decision to offer Pakistan a hefty package, but would only support the economic and military support after being convinced that Islamabad's acting against the internal terror network was for its own interest.

He also charged NATO nations for failing to provide the funding and troops needed to wage the 'War on Terror' in Afghanistan.

Furthermore, Levin termed the performance of allied forces in the on-going war as 'nothing short of pitiful.'(ANI)