Pak eligible to get US aid as John Kerry certifies Islamabad's action against terror

Washington, Jan 5: US Secretary of State John Kerry has backed the Pakistani government's 'action' against terror groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). With such certification, Pakistan became eligible for an aid package under the Kerry-Lugar Bill, reports said.

The Bill has 'actions against terror groups' as one of the conditions that Islamabad must fulfili in order to be eligible for US aid.

The Kerry-Lugar Bill was proposed by John Kerry and Richard Lugar and was passed by the US Congress in 2010. The bill authorised release of USD 1.5 billion a year to Pakistan as non-military aid for the period between 2010 and 2014.

US President Barack Obama is expected to clear the payment after Kerry certified Pakistan's action against terror outfits like the LeT and JeM. The USA's decision came just weeks ahead of Kerry's visit to Islamabad to hold a strategic dialogue with Pakistan.

The aid is likely to leave New Delhi outraged given Pakistan's continued support to terror modules working from its soil. New Delhi has accused Pakistan of taking the trial of the 26/11 terror accused lightly. Hafiz Saeed, the JeM chief and the mastermind of the 26/11 attacks, has also been seen moving freely in Pakistan and speaking against India at public rallies. [Hafiz Saeed spotted at LoC]

Oneindia News