WASHINGTON, Sep 29 : A Republican lawmaker\u2019s proposal to cutoff funds to Pakistan on the ground that some of its policies have been contrary to U.S. interests was roundly defeated in the House of Representatives, an action welcomed by Pakistani Ambassador Masood Khan. Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles had earlier this month moved an amendment to the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Act, 2024 seeking to prohibit assistance to Pakistan. However, the move collapsed in the 435-member House where Republicans have a majority. The final tally was 298 members \u2014 both Democrats and Republicans \u2014 voting against Congressman Ogles\u2019s amendment, while 132 cast \u2018yes\u2019 votes, an overwhelming rejection of the anti-Pakistan move. Preceding the vote was an intense debate during which Democratic Congresswomen \u2014 Sheila Jackson Lee and Barbara Lee \u2014 vigorously opposed Congressman Ogles\u2019s proposal, and called for maintaining U.S. assistance to Pakistan. Ms. Jackson termed the move as misguided, saying \u201cWhat my colleague speaks of does not reflect government and people of Pakistan\u201d as over the decades both countries have built a multifaceted and diverse relationship driven by cooperation in areas such as defence, counterterrorism, trade, investment, agriculture, energy, climate, health, and education. \u201cDuring the intense phases of the Afghan war, many Pakistani soldiers lost their lives fighting terrorism.\u201d Ms.Jackson said. \u201cOur cooperation, she said, was rooted in our shared democratic values. \u201cToday, the bilateral relationship is moving in the right direction.\u201d Congresswoman Barbara Lee said it was essential to maintain stability in the region, address extremism and promote peace and security. \u201cOur aid and assistance to Pakistan is not just strategically significant but is also a reflection of our humanitarian concern for those who\u2019ve suffered from such devastation\u201d, referring to the climate-induced floods in Pakistan, In the fiscal year 2024, $135 million had been earmarked for Pakistan which would be spent for economic support, counter narcotics, military education and training, counter terrorism and a health programme. Promoting his proposal, Congressman Ogles criticized former Prime Minister Imran Khan for welcoming the Taliban\u2019s victory in August 2021 and praising them for breaking the shackles of slavery. In his rambling speech, he also leveled baseless accusations against Pakistan dating back to the period before 2021. Contacted by APP After the rout of Ogles\u2019s proposal, Ambassador Masood Khan expressed his thanks to all US lawmakers who voted against the amendment and stood for bolstering Pakistan-US ties. \u201cPakistan-US relations are on a positive, ascending trajectory and are poised to grow in all fields,\u201d the Pakistani envoy said. \u201cSuch moves can\u2019t create disruption or distraction; both sides will stay the course.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WASHINGTON, Sep 29 : A Republican lawmaker\u2019s proposal to cutoff funds to Pakistan on the ground that some of its policies have been contrary to U.S. interests was roundly defeated in the House of Representatives, an action welcomed by Pakistani Ambassador Masood Khan. Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles had earlier this month moved an amendment to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":359045,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-359036","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n