A powerful American senator has demanded suspension $3 billion aid to Pakistan, until the country answers how Osama bin Laden was able to live so close to Islamabad and proves it stands by the US in war against terror.
"The ability of Osama bin Laden to live in a compound so close to Pakistan's capital is astounding – and we need to understand who knew his location, when they knew it, and whether Pakistani officials were helping to protect him," Senator Frank Lautenberg said.
Osama bin Laden was hiding in a $1-mn house in Abbottabad, 120 km from Islamabad.
Lautenberg is a member of Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations and Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security.
"The United States provides billions of dollars in aid to Pakistan. Before we send another dime, we need to know whether Pakistan truly stands with us in the fight against terrorism.
"Until Congress and the American public are assured that the Pakistani government is not shielding terrorists, financial aid to Pakistan should be suspended," he said.
For FY12, President Barack Obama has requested almost $3 billion in foreign assistance for Pakistan, including $1.58 billion in funds for security related programmes and $1.36 billion for economic and humanitarian aid.
"In addition, Pakistan could receive an additional $1 billion or more from the Department of Defence in Coalition Support Funds to reimburse the Pakistani military," the senator said.
