Pakistan: U.S. Foreign Aid Conditions,
Restrictions, and Reporting Requirements
Susan B. Epstein
Specialist in Foreign Policy
K. Alan Kronstadt
Specialist in South Asian Affairs
December 15, 2011
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
R42116
CRS Report for Congress
Pr
epared for Members and Committees of Congress
Pakistan: U.S. Foreign Aid Conditions, Restrictions, and Reporting Requirements
Summary
The 112th Congress continues to debate levels of U.S. assistance to Pakistan in light of signs that
Pakistan may not be a fully willing and effective U.S. partner, and that official Pakistani elements
continue to support Afghan insurgent forces. During a period of economic and budget crises in
the United States, Obama Administration officials and some senior Members of Congress have
voiced concerns about the efficacy of continuing the flow of billions of U.S. aid dollars into
Pakistan, with some in Congress urging more stringent conditions on, or even curtailment of,
such aid. At issue is whether Pakistan’s civilian government and security services are using the
aid as intended domestically while actively supporting U.S. efforts to stabilize Afghanistan and
combat regional insurgent and terrorist elements. Existing aid restrictions and the certification
process required for greater accountability on the part of Pakistan are thus under scrutiny.
A number of current laws restrict or place conditions on certain aid to Pakistan, such as Economic
Support Funds and the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Fund (PCF). Others require the President, the
Secretary of Defense, or the Secretary of State to certify that Pakistan meets specific criteria to
receive U.S. aid. Examples include that the implementing agency is qualified to manage the
funds; that the Pakistani government has agreed to clear, achievable goals; that it is meeting
human rights criteria; and that the country is making progress in achieving U.S. aid objectives,
and is cooperating with the United States in combating terrorist networks and securing its nuclear
weapons. In addition, reporting requirements include a quarterly report on the specific uses of
PCF; an annual report on Pakistan’s cooperation regarding efforts to dismantle nuclear weapons-
related supplier networks and combat terrorist groups (to allow security-related aid and arms
transfers to Pakistan from 2011 to 2014); a report to explain certification of U.S. aid to Pakistan;
and an annual report from the President confirming that providing aid to Pakistan is in the U.S.
national interest and that Pakistan has made substantial efforts to adhere to international
counternarcotics agreements. Waivers in current law exist: one allows aid restrictions to be
waived for human health and welfare risks; three authorize waiving aid restrictions if the
President determines that it is in U.S. national security interests to do so.
Legislation before the 112th Congress on U.S. aid to Pakistan goes beyond current law. The
conference report for the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2012 (H.R. 1540), issued on
December 12, 2011, includes provisions to withhold 60% of any FY2012 appropriations for PCF
unless the Secretary of Defense reports to Congress a strategy for the use of such funds and the
metrics for determining their effectiveness, and a strategy to enhance Pakistani efforts to counter
improvised explosive devices. Among other pending bills are those that would totally eliminate
aid to Pakistan “under any provision of law,” and provide no waivers or certification
requirements; one that would eliminate all aid unless new certification regarding the Pakistani
government’s knowledge of Osama bin Laden is provided; one that would eliminate all aid except
for aid that would ensure the security of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons; and one that would prohibit
all non-security aid. Increased reporting and certification requirements are included in many of
the bills currently before Congress, as well.
This report provides a comprehensive list of existing laws and pending legislation containing
conditions, limitations, and reporting requirements for U.S. foreign assistance to Pakistan. It will
track the debate on this topic and resulting changes. For a broader discussion of U.S. aid to
Pakistan, see CRS Report R41856, Pakistan: U.S. Foreign Assistance. For discussion of the
current state of U.S.-Pakistan relations, see CRS Report R41832, Pakistan-U.S. Relations: A
Summary. Both are updated regularly.
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Pakistan: U.S. Foreign Aid Conditions, Restrictions, and Reporting Requirements
Contents
Context: Recent Turmoil in U.S.-Pakistan Relations....................................................................... 1
Current Law..................................................................................................................................... 2
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Title XI, Department
of Defense and Full-year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011—P.L. 112-10...................... 2
Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for FY2011—P.L. 111-383........................... 2
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010—P.L. 111-212 ........................................................... 2
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, Division F,
Consolidated Appropriations, 2010—P.L. 111-117................................................................ 3
National Defense Authorization Act for FY2010—P.L. 111-84................................................ 4
Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009 (EPPA)—P.L. 111-73................................... 4
The Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriation
Act, 2009, Division H of the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009—P.L. 111-8 ..................... 5
Foreign Relations Authorization Act of 2003—P.L. 107-228 ................................................... 5
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961—P.L. 87-195........................................................................... 5
Pending Legislation ......................................................................................................................... 6
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012—H.R. 1540.................................... 6
Ensuring the Effective Use of United States Aid to Pakistan Act—H.R. 3115 ......................... 7
Foreign Relations Authorization Act, 2012—H.R. 2583........................................................... 8
Pakistan Accountability Act—H.R. 3013.................................................................................. 9
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act,
2012—S. 1601........................................................................................................................ 9
Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2012—H.R. 2219, As
Passed by the House............................................................................................................. 10
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill for FY2012
(Unnumbered House Version) .............................................................................................. 11
Pakistan Foreign Aid Accountability Act—H.R. 1699............................................................ 12
Defund United States Assistance to Pakistan Act of 2011—H.R. 1790 .................................. 12
Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act 2011—H.R. 1 ........................................................ 13
Contacts
Author Contact Information........................................................................................................... 13
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Pakistan: U.S. Foreign Aid Conditions, Restrictions, and Reporting Requirements
Context: Recent Turmoil in U.S.-Pakistan Relations
Pakistan has long been a leading recipient of U.S. foreign aid despite contentious issues in the
bilateral relationship. Following the May 2011 U.S. commando raid in Pakistan to kill Osama bin
Laden, already troubled U.S.-Pakistani relations further soured, prompting the 112th Congress to
consider new restrictions on, or even elimination of, the billions of annual assistance dollars
currently being provided. Since the raid, U.S.-Pakistani military cooperation has been disrupted
and clouded by increased mutual distrust; Islamabad has significantly reduced the number of U.S.
military trainers allowed in the country, and the Obama Administration indicated that deliveries of
certain security-related financial transfers and other aid are under suspension. A November
incident near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border left two dozen Pakistani soldiers dead after their
posts came under fire from NATO forces; the event further disrupted relations. Meanwhile, many
observers believe Pakistan’s civilian government is increasingly weak and ineffectual.
A significant shift in the Obama Administration’s public statements on U.S. relations with
Pakistan was suggested when Admiral Mike Mullen, outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff, and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta testified before the Senate Armed Services
Committee on September 22, 2011. In that hearing, both explicitly accused Pakistan’s main
intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), of supporting Haqqani Network insurgents
who engage in attacks on U.S. targets in Afghanistan, including a September assault on the U.S.
Embassy in Kabul. When asked by a committee member whether he supports a move in Congress
to further condition U.S. aid to Pakistan, Secretary Panetta replied, “Anything that makes clear to
them that we cannot tolerate their providing this kind of safe haven to the Haqqanis, and that they
have to take action—any signal that we can send to them—I think would be important to do.”1
Just two weeks later, however, President Obama stated in a press conference, “We could not have
been as successful as we have been without the cooperation of the Pakistan government. And so
on a whole range of issues, they have been an effective partner with us,” adding, “[W]e will
constantly evaluate our relationship with Pakistan” in the context of U.S. interests.2
At the same time that the Administration is displaying serious displeasure with Pakistan, the
United States is also responding with humanitarian aid to a September 9, 2011, declaration of
disaster due to flooding there. Over the past year, the United States has provided about $600
million in disaster and refugee assistance for the widespread summer 2010 Pakistan floods.
Flooding in 2011 is confined to the southern Sindh province, for which the United States has
pledged more than $110.0 million in FY2011 and FY2012.
While numerous concerns exist about whether Pakistan can be accountable in how it uses U.S.
aid and whether it is capable of being a reliable U.S. partner in combating terrorism, many
experts believe that U.S. strategic interests are inextricably linked with a stable Pakistan and
region. They emphasize the importance of maintaining a close bilateral engagement with
Pakistan, including providing assistance, to promote stability and U.S. national security concerns.
1 Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on U.S. Strategy in Iraq and Afghanistan, September 22, 2011, transcripts
at http://www.cq.com/doc/congressionaltranscripts-3943650.
2 President Obama’s press conference, October 6, 2011, http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/10/06/news-
conference-president.
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Current Law
Over past decades, Congress has expressed concern with the U.S.-Pakistan relationship and has
placed limitations and reporting requirements on U.S. aid to Pakistan in both authorization and
appropriation laws. Following, in reverse chronological order, are laws passed by Congress that
restrict aid or establish certain requirements for reporting of such aid.
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Title XI, Department of Defense and Full-year Continuing
Appropriations Act, 2011—P.L. 112-10
Sec. 2121(b) states that Economic Support Funds (ESF) appropriated or otherwise made available
by this division for assistance for Afghanistan and Pakistan may not be made available for direct
government-to-government assistance unless the Secretary of State certifies to the Committees on
Appropriations that the relevant implementing agency has been assessed and considered qualified
to manage such funds; that the government of the recipient country has agreed, in writing, to clear
and achievable goals and objectives for the use of such funds; and that there are mechanisms
within each implementing agency to ensure that such funds are used for the purposes for which
they were intended.
Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for FY2011—P.L.
111-383
Sec. 1220 amends P.L. 111-84 (see below) and requires that assistance provided to the security
forces of Pakistan from the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Fund (PCF) after FY2010 shall be
provided in a manner that promotes “observance of and respect for human rights and fundamental
freedoms” and “respect for legitimate civilian authority within Pakistan.”
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010—P.L. 111-212
Sec. 1005 stipulates that Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and the Pakistan Counterinsurgency
Capability Fund (PCCF) appropriated in this and prior acts shall be made available
• in a manner that promotes unimpeded access by humanitarian organizations to
detainees, internally displaced persons, and other Pakistani civilians adversely
affected by the conflict; and
• in accordance with section 620J of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (popularly
cited as the Leahy Amendment, relating to human rights standards as a
requirement for aid to security forces), the Secretary of State shall inform
relevant Pakistani authorities of the requirements of section 620J, and regularly
monitor units of Pakistani security forces that receive United States assistance
and their treatment of human rights matters.3
3 Sec. 620J of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (P.L. 87-195, as amended), also known as the Leahy Amendment,
(continued...)
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Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs,
Division F, Consolidated Appropriations, 2010—P.L. 111-117
Title III states that ESF funds appropriated under this heading that are made available for
assistance for infrastructure projects in Pakistan shall be implemented in a manner consistent with
workers’ rights and eliminating the worst forms of child labor laws.4 Of the funds appropriated
under this heading for assistance for Afghanistan and Pakistan,
• assistance may be provided for cross border stabilization and development
programs between Afghanistan and Pakistan;
• funds appropriated by this act for assistance for Afghanistan and Pakistan may be
made available for government-to-government assistance only if the Secretary of
State certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that the U.S. government and
the government of the recipient country have agreed, in writing, to clear and
achievable goals and objectives for the use of such funds, and have established
mechanisms within each implementing agency to ensure that such funds are used
for the purposes for which they were intended;
• any such cash transfer assistance shall be subject to prior consultation with the
Committees on Appropriations;
• the Secretary of State should suspend any such cash transfer assistance to an
implementing agency if the Secretary has credible evidence of misuse of such
funds by any such agency;
• any decision to significantly modify the scope, objectives or implementation
mechanisms of United States assistance programs in Afghanistan or Pakistan
shall be subject to prior consultation with, and the regular notification procedures
of, the Committees on Appropriations, except that the prior consultation
requirement may be waived if it is determined that failure to do so would pose a
substantial risk to human health or welfare;
• in case of any such waiver, notification to the Committees on Appropriations
shall be provided as early as practicable, but in no event later than three days
after taking the action to which such consultation requirement was applicable;
and
• of the funds made available under this heading for assistance for Pakistan,
$2,000,000 shall be transferred to, and merged with, funds available under the
heading “Administration of Foreign Affairs, Office of Inspector General” for
oversight of programs in Pakistan.
(...continued)
states, in part, that “No assistance shall be furnished under this Act or the Arms Export Control Act to any unit of the
security forces of a foreign country if the Secretary of State has credible evidence that such unit has committed gross
violations of human rights.”
4 This measure is to be carried out in a manner consistent with Section 507(6) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C.
2467(6)), which includes meeting workers’ rights and child labor laws, taking action to combat terrorism, and meeting
counternarcotics criteria to receive U.S. assistance, among other things.
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National Defense Authorization Act for FY2010—P.L. 111-84
Sec. 1015 prohibits the use of Department of Defense counternarcotics assistance funds to
construct any proposed Border Coordination Center in Pakistan. The Secretary of Defense may
waive this for vital U.S. national security interests.
Sec. 1224 requires the Secretary of Defense to submit quarterly reports to Congress summarizing
on a project-by-project basis any transfer of funds from the PCF during each fiscal quarter.
Sec. 1225 (22 U.S.C. 2785 note) requires the Secretary of Defense to establish and carry out a
program to provide for the registration and end-use monitoring of defense articles and defense
services transferred to Pakistan, and would prohibit transfer of defense articles or defense services
to Pakistan until the Secretary certifies to Congress that such program has been established.
Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009 (EPPA)—P.L. 111-
73
Sec. 102(b)(1)(B)(i) limits economic assistance to $750 million per year unless the President’s
Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan certifies that assistance to Pakistan is making
reasonable progress in achieving the principal U.S. aid objectives as stated in the Pakistan
Assistance Strategy Report with reasons justifying the certification.5 The Secretary of State may
waive the limitations if it is in the national security interest of the United States to do so.
Sec. 203 (U.S.C. 8423) limits all security-related assistance and arms transfers to Pakistan during
FY2011-FY2014 unless the Secretary of State annually certifies and reports to the Committees on
Foreign Affairs, Foreign Relations, Armed Services, Oversight and Government Reform, and
Select Committees on Intelligence that
• the Pakistani government is continuing to cooperate with the United States in
efforts to dismantle supplier networks relating to the acquisition of nuclear
weapons-related materials, such as providing relevant information from or direct
access to Pakistani nationals associated with such networks;
• the Pakistani government has during the preceding fiscal year demonstrated a
sustained commitment to and is making significant efforts towards combating
terrorist groups including taking into account the extent to which the Government
of Pakistan has made progress on matters such as (1) ceasing support, including
by any elements within the Pakistan military or its intelligence agency, to
extremist and terrorist groups, particularly to any group that has conducted
attacks against U.S. or coalition forces in Afghanistan, or against the territory or
people of neighboring countries; (2) preventing al Qaeda, the Taliban and
5 U.S. aid objectives stated in the Department of State’s Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report include (1) helping
Pakistan address immediate energy, water, and related economic crises, thereby deepening our partnership with the
Pakistani people and decreasing the appeal of extremists; (2) supporting broader economic and democratic reforms that
are necessary to put Pakistan on a path towards sustainable job creation and economic growth, which is necessary for
long-term Pakistani stability and progress; and (3) helping Pakistan build on its success against militants to eliminate
extremist sanctuaries that threaten Pakistan, Afghanistan, the wider region, the United States, and people around the
world. June 30, 2010, pp. iii-iv.
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associated terrorist groups, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed,
from operating in the territory of Pakistan, including carrying out cross-border
attacks into neighboring countries, closing terrorist camps in the Federally
Administered Tribal Areas, dismantling terrorist bases of operations in other parts
of the country, including Quetta and Muridke, and taking action when provided
with intelligence about high-level terrorist targets; and (3) strengthening
counterterrorism and anti-money laundering laws;
• the security forces of Pakistan are not materially and substantially subverting the
political or judicial processes of Pakistan.
Furthermore, none of the security related aid for FY2010 through FY2014 or any funds
appropriated to the PCCF may be used toward the purchase of F-16 combat aircraft and related
munitions and logistics, with the exception of basing construction at Pakistan’s Shabaz air base.
The Secretary may waive this certification requirement if s/he determines that “it is important to
the national security interests of the United States to do so.”
The Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related
Programs Appropriation Act, 2009, Division H of the Omnibus
Appropriations Act, 2009—P.L. 111-8
Title IV stipulates that funds appropriated for FMF to Pakistan “may be made available only for
border security, counterterrorism, and law enforcement activities directed against Al Qaeda, the
Taliban, and associated terrorist groups.”
Foreign Relations Authorization Act of 2003—P.L. 107-228
Sec. 706 (22 U.S.C. 2291j-l) authorizes withholding aid to countries identified by the President as
“major drug transit or major illicit drug producing countries” if the country is not adhering to
international agreements and is not making substantial efforts to meet certain counternarcotics
measures. 6 This restriction can be waived if the President reports annually to Congress that
• providing such assistance is vital to the national interests of the United States; or
• that Pakistan has made substantial efforts to adhere to its obligations under
international counternarcotics agreements and to take the counternarcotics
measures set forth in section 489(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961—P.L. 87-195
Sec. 490 (Annual Certification Procedures, U.S.C. 2291j) requires the President to certify
annually that in the previous year a country earlier identified as an illicit drug-producing or drug
transit country has fully cooperated with the United States or taken steps on its own to achieve
full compliance with the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotics and
6 Subsequently, on September 15, 2008, in Presidential Determination No. 2008-28, the President included several
countries to this list, including Pakistan. According to the Department of State, Pakistan is not currently on this list.
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Psychotropic Substances, or that it is of vital U.S. national interests for a country to receive U.S.
bilateral economic assistance or for the United States to vote for multilateral development bank
assistance for that country.
Sec. 620E (Assistance to Pakistan, U.S.C. 2375) authorizes security assistance to Pakistan to help
Pakistan deal with the threat of the Soviet Union presence in Afghanistan. Military assistance is
prohibited, however, unless the President certifies in writing to the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee in the Senate that Pakistan
does not possess a nuclear explosive device and that the military assistance will reduce
significantly the risk that Pakistan will possess a nuclear device. 7
Pending Legislation
Some Members of the 112th Congress have concerns about providing billions of dollars of annual
aid to a country that appears unwilling or unable to act as a reliable U.S. partner. Numerous
legislative proposals before the 112th Congress go beyond current law. In order of most recent
congressional action, following are pending measures proposed to restrict future aid to Pakistan:
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012—H.R. 1540
H.R. 1540 was introduced in the House on April 14, 2011. The House passed it on May 26. The
bill was referred to the Senate on June 6, when it was referred to the Committee on Armed
Services. The Senate passed it with an amendment on December 1, 2011. The conference report
(H.Rept. 112-329) was filed on December 12. Deliberation on the conference report was agreed
to in the House on December 14, 2011.
Sec. 1220 of the bill stipulates that not more than 40% of FY2012 appropriated amounts for PCF
may be obligated or expended until the Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the
Secretary of State, submits an annual report to the relevant defense committees in the House and
Senate, and to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations that includes
• a strategy to use PCF and the metrics used to determine progress on use of PCF;
and
• a strategy to enhance Pakistani efforts to counter improvised explosive devices
(IEDs).
At a minimum, the report shall include
• (i) a discussion of U.S. strategic objectives in Pakistan;
• (ii) a list of terrorist organizations in Pakistan opposing U.S. goals in the region
and against which the United States encourages Pakistan to take action;
7 Sec. 9001 of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2000 (P.L. 106-79; U.S.C.2799aa-1 note), authorizes the
President with waiver authority of certain sanctions against Pakistan, including Sec. 620E. The waiver authority is
terminated if Pakistan subsequently detonates a nuclear explosive device or takes other similar actions.
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• (iii) a discussion of the gaps in capabilities of Pakistan security units that hamper
the ability of the Government of Pakistan to take action against the organizations
listed;
• (iv) a discussion of how assistance provided using PCF will address the gaps in
capabilities;
• (v) a discussion of efforts undertaken by other U.S. government departments and
agencies or other activities by the Department of Defense to address gaps in
capabilities and how they all are coordinated with activities undertaken by PCF;
• (vi) a discussion of whether the Government of Pakistan is demonstrating a
commitment to countering IEDs; and
• (vii) metrics used to track progress of the Government of Pakistan in listing
terrorist organizations, address capability gaps, and counter IEDs.
The section further would require the Secretary of Defense, in concurrence with the Secretary of
State, to include in the quarterly reports required under Section 1224(f) of the National Defense
Authorization Act for FY2010
• a discussion of progress in achieving U.S. strategic objectives in Pakistan during
such fiscal quarter, utilizing metrics used to track progress in achieving such
strategic objectives; and
• a discussion of progress made by programs supported from amounts in the PCF
during such fiscal quarter.
Ensuring the Effective Use of United States Aid to Pakistan Act—
H.R. 3115
H.R. 3115 was introduced October 6, 2011, and was referred to the House Agriculture and House
Foreign Affairs Committees on the same day. It was referred to the House Subcommittee on
October 14, 2011.
Sec. 2 of the bill would prohibit non-security assistance to Pakistan including development
assistance, Economic Support Funds, Global Health and Child Survival assistance, aid from the
Democracy Fund, International Disaster Assistance, and any provision of law that authorizes the
Secretary of State to provide a contribution to the International Committee of the Red Cross,
assistance to refugees, including contributions to the International Organization for Migration and
the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other activities to meet refugee and
migration needs, certain food aid, the $1.5 billion in annual economic assistance to Pakistan
authorized by the EPPA (P.L. 111-73) and any law authorizing contributions to international
organizations.
Sec. 3 states that security assistance may be provided to Pakistan under any provision of law
other than those in Sec. 2 above and only during a period for which a certification or
recertification is in effect.
The certification must be transmitted by the President to Congress. Issues addressed in the
certification include a determination by the President that the government of Pakistan is
cooperating with the United States in efforts against Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and associated
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terrorist groups, including prevention of such groups from carrying out cross-border attacks on
neighboring countries; does not impede United States counterterrorism efforts; and will use the
assistance solely for the purpose of border security, counter-terrorism, and law enforcement
activities directed against Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and associated terrorist groups.
Recertification must be no later than 90 days after the date on which the President transmits to
Congress an initial certification and every six months thereafter. The President shall transmit to
Congress a recertification that the original certification conditions are continuing to be met; or if
the President is unable to make such a recertification, the President shall transmit to Congress a
report that contains the reasons.
These measures would take effect on the date of the enactment.
Foreign Relations Authorization Act, 2012—H.R. 2583
The Foreign Relations Authorization Act, 2012 was introduced on July 19, 2011, and amended
and reported out of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on September 23, 2011. No further action
has occurred.
As reported in the House, Sec. 1025A of the bill would amend the EPPA (P.L. 111-73) by
• withholding amounts appropriated for assistance to Pakistan unless the Secretary
of State annually certifies for Congress that assistance has to date made or is
making measurable progress toward achieving the principal objectives of U.S.
assistance to Pakistan contained in the Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report and a
memorandum explaining the reasons justifying the certification;
• removing the EPPA’s national security waiver; and
• altering some of the EPPA’s Sec. 203 limitations on security assistance and arms
transfers, including adding to required certification criteria that Pakistan (1) is
fully assisting the United States with investigating the existence of an official or
unofficial support network in Pakistan for Osama bin Laden, including by
providing the United States with direct access to Osama bin Laden’s relatives in
Pakistan and to Osama bin Laden’s former compound in Abbottabad and any
materials therein; and (2) is facilitating the issuance of entry and exit visas for
official U.S. visitors engaged in counterterrorism efforts and training or other
cooperative programs and projects in Pakistan.
Sec. 1025B would require that the EPPA’s Sec. 301 Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report be
submitted to Congress annually through 2014 rather than one time, and that it further include
descriptions of (1) progress toward creating a searchable Internet database and other public
communications strategies that will provide American and Pakistan people with updated and
accurate information on proposed spending plans, disbursements of assistance, and results
achieved using funds authorized; (2) progress toward meeting the recommendations of audits,
reviews, and investigations completed by the General Accountability Office and by the Office of
Inspector General of the United States Agency for International Development, the Department of
State, and the Department of Defense; and (3) a description of how the Administration is
incorporating support for private sector development and enhanced trade opportunities as part of
the foreign assistance approach to Pakistan.
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Pakistan Accountability Act—H.R. 3013
H.R. 3013 was introduced on September 22, 2011, and referred to the House Committee on
Foreign Affairs. No further action was taken.
Sec. 2 of the bill would prohibit all U.S. aid to Pakistan except aid that would ensure the security
of nuclear weapons.
The prohibition would take effect on the date of the enactment of the measure and would prohibit
already allocated assistance to Pakistan that is unexpended on or after the date of enactment.
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Appropriations Act, 2012—S. 1601
S. 1601 was introduced on September 22, 2011, marked up in the Senate Committee on
Appropriations, and sent to the Senate the same day. No further action has been taken.
Sec. 7010 would require that the Secretary of State provide to the Appropriations Committee by
April 1, 2012, and for every fiscal quarter thereafter, a report on the uses of FMF, International
Military Education and Training (IMET), and PCF. The report “shall include a description of the
obligation and expenditure of funds ... and the use or purpose of the assistance provided by such
funds.”
Sec. 7065(c) would require that
• to release any economic or security assistance funds for Pakistan (including the
PCCF) the Secretary of State must certify to Congress that the U.S. and Pakistani
governments “have agreed, in writing, to achievable and sustainable goals,
benchmarks for measuring progress, and expected results for the use of such
funds, and have established mechanisms within each implementing agency to
ensure that such funds are used for the purposes for which they were intended
...”;
• the Secretary “should suspend any direct government-to-government assistance
to an implementing agency if s/he has credible information of misuse of such
funds by any such agency;” and
• that funds made available “shall be subject to prior consultation with, and the
regular notification procedures of, the Committees on Appropriations.”
To meet these requirements, the Secretary of State must certify that the Pakistani government is
• “cooperating with the United States in efforts against the Haqqani Network, the
Quetta Shura Taliban, Lashkar e-Tayyiba, Al Qaeda and other domestic and
foreign terrorist organizations, including taking steps to end support for such
groups and prevent them from operating in Pakistan and carrying out cross
border attacks into neighboring countries;
• not impeding the issuance of visas for U.S. visitors engaged in counterterrorism
efforts and assistance programs in Pakistan; and
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• providing humanitarian organizations access to detainees, internally displaced
persons, and other Pakistani civilians affected by the conflict.”
The Secretary may waive this certification requirement “if to do so is in the national security
interests of the United States.”
Sec. 7065(c) further stipulates that ESF for Pakistan “should be made available to stop the flow of
precursor materials used to manufacture Improvised Explosive Devices, including calcium
ammonium nitrate, from Pakistan to Afghanistan, including programs to train border and customs
officials in Pakistan and Afghanistan as well as agricultural extension programs that encourage
alternative fertilizers among Pakistani farmers.”
Sec. 7082(a) would require that no later than 45 days of after the date of enactment any agency
providing economic assistance to Pakistan shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations an
operating plan that “provides details of the use of such funds at the program, project, and activity
level.”
Sec. 7082(b) would require that, prior to the initial obligation of funds, the Secretary of State, in
consultation with the USAID Administrator, shall submit to Congress a detailed spend plan,
which shall include achievable and sustainable goals, benchmarks for measuring progress, and
expected results, for funds appropriated under the heading “Democracy Fund;” economic and
security assistance funds for Pakistan; and economic assistance funds appropriated for food
security and agriculture development programs and for climate change and environment
programs.
As per Sec. 7065(c)(4)(B), the spend plan report for Pakistan shall include “achievable and
sustainable goals, benchmarks for measuring progress, and expected results regarding furthering
the development of Pakistan, countering extremism, and establishing conditions conducive to the
rule of law and accountable governance,” and it provides that, not later than six months after
submission of such spend plan, and each six months thereafter until September 30, 2013, the
Secretary of State “shall submit a report on the status of achieving the goals and benchmarks in
the spend plan” and “should suspend assistance for the Government of Pakistan if any such report
indicates that Pakistan is failing to make measurable progress in meeting any such goal or
benchmark.”
Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2012—
H.R. 2219, As Passed by the House
Department of Defense Appropriations Act for FY2012 was introduced in the House on June 16,
2011, and referred to the House Appropriations Committee on the same day. The House passed
the measure on July 8, 2011. The Senate Committee on Appropriations reported it with an
amendment in the nature of a substitute on September 15, 2011, and it was placed on the Senate
legislative calendar. No further action has occurred.
The House version contains restrictions and reporting requirements regarding aid to Pakistan. The
Senate Appropriations Committee strikes out those measures, among others, and does not include
restrictions on aid to Pakistan. The House measure includes the following:
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Sec. 9009 would require that the Secretary of Defense submit to Congress not later than 45 days
after the end of each fiscal quarter a report on the proposed use of all appropriated PCF on a
project-by-project basis, for which the obligation of funds is anticipated during the three-month
period from such date, including estimates of the costs required to complete each such project.
The report shall include
• the use of all funds on a project-by-project basis, including estimates of the costs
to complete each project; and
• an estimated total cost to train and equip Pakistani security forces, disaggregated
by major program and sub-elements by force, arrayed by fiscal year.
Sec. 9015 stipulates that not more than 25% of PCF appropriated after FY2011 may be obligated
or expended until such time as the Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of
State, report to Congress on the strategy to utilize such funds and the metrics used to determine
progress with respect to those funds. The report shall include, at a minimum,
• (i) a discussion of U.S. strategic objectives in Pakistan;
• (ii) a listing of the terrorist or extremist organizations in Pakistan opposing U.S.
goals in the region and against which the United States encourages Pakistan to
take action;
• (iii) a discussion of the gaps in capabilities of Pakistani security units that
hampers the ability of the Pakistani government to take action against the
organizations listed in clause (ii);
• (iv) a discussion of how assistance provided utilizing the funds will address the
gaps in capabilities listed in clause (iii);
• (v) a discussion of other efforts undertaken by other U.S. government
departments and agencies to address the gaps in capabilities listed in clause (iii)
or complementary activities of the Department of Defense and how those efforts
are coordinated with the activities undertaken to utilize the funds; and
• (vi) metrics that will be used to track progress in achieving U.S. strategic
objectives in Pakistan, to track progress of the Pakistan government in combating
the organizations listed in clause (ii), and to address the gaps in capabilities listed
in clause (iii).
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations
Bill for FY2012 (Unnumbered House Version)
This unnumbered bill was marked up by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State,
Foreign Operations, and Related Programs during the summer of 2011. No further action has
occurred.
Sec. 7047 states that none of the funds made available may be obligated for aid to Pakistan until
the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National
Intelligence, certifies and reports to Congress that the Government of Pakistan is
• cooperating on nuclear nonproliferation efforts;
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• investigating how Osama bin Laden found refuge in Pakistan for years; and
• is making demonstrable progress in combating terrorist groups.
Funds will be provided only for programs that are in America’s national security interest and must
foster economic development and decrease the appeal of extremism. The Secretary of State must
report to Congress within 45 days of enactment of this act on projects to be funded.
Sec. 7031. The House Appropriations Subcommittee on State Department, Foreign Operations,
and Related Programs is concerned about direct government-to-government assistance to
Pakistan. This bill would require the Secretary of State to certify that any government-to-
government aid will be used as intended, that Pakistan agrees to clear, achievable goals, that the
implementing agency and staff are fully qualified, and that there are sufficient monitoring and
evaluation systems in place.
Sec. 7006. The bill includes a requirement that the Secretary of State, in consultation with the
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) provide a spending plan to the
congressional appropriations committees prior to obligation of funds.
Pakistan Foreign Aid Accountability Act—H.R. 1699
H.R. 1699 was introduced on May 3, 2011, and referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
No further actions were taken.
Sec. 2 (Prohibition on Assistance to Pakistan) states the following:
(a) Prohibition—Assistance may not be provided to Pakistan under any provision of law unless
the Secretary of State certifies to Congress that
• the Government of Pakistan did not have any information regarding Osama bin
Laden’s possible whereabouts on or after September 11, 2001; or
• if the Government of Pakistan did have information regarding Osama bin
Laden’s possible whereabouts on or after September 11, 2001, it communicated
such information to the United States Government in an expedited manner.
(b) A certification described shall be submitted
• in writing and include specific findings and conclusions; and
• in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex if necessary.
(c) This act shall take effect on the date of the enactment of it and shall apply with respect to
amounts allocated for assistance to Pakistan that are unexpended on or after such date.
Defund United States Assistance to Pakistan Act of 2011—H.R.
1790
H.R. 1790 was introduced on May 5, 2011, and referred to the House Committee on Foreign
Affairs. No further action was taken.
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Sec. 3 (Prohibition on Assistance to Pakistan) states,“Assistance may not be provided to Pakistan
under any provision of law.” The prohibition of aid to Pakistan would be effective upon
enactment of the act and would apply to unobligated or unexpended aid to Pakistan as of that
date.
Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act 2011—H.R. 1
H.R. 1 was introduced February 11, 2011, agreed to in the House on February 19, and sent to the
Senate floor, where it was returned to the calendar on March 9. No further actions were taken.
Sec. 2123(b) states that ESF funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this division for
assistance for Afghanistan and Pakistan may not be made available for direct government-to-
government assistance unless the Secretary of State certifies to the Committees on Appropriations
that the relevant implementing agency has been assessed and considered qualified to manage such
funds and the Government of the United States and the government of the recipient country have
agreed, in writing, to clear and achievable goals and objectives for the use of such funds, and
have established mechanisms within each implementing agency to ensure that such funds are
used for the purposes for which they were intended.
Author Contact Information
Susan B. Epstein
K. Alan Kronstadt
Specialist in Foreign Policy
Specialist in South Asian Affairs
sepstein@crs.loc.gov, 7-6678
akronstadt@crs.loc.gov, 7-5415
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