<p>The powerful US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs yesterday passed the Defence Authorisation bill which prohibits further security aid to Pakistan until the Secretary of State provides certification affirming various aspects of Pakistani cooperation in the war on terror.<br /><br />It also prohibits further civilian assistance until the effectiveness of such programmes is certified by the Secretary of State, in addition to a certification on Pakistan's cooperation in the war on terror.<br /><br />"The language in this bill puts that (Pakistan) government on notice that it is no longer business as usual and that they will be held to account if they continue to refuse to cooperate with our efforts to eliminate the nuclear black market, destroy the remaining elements of Osama Bin Laden's network and vigorously pursue our counter-terrorism objectives," Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said.<br /><br />"I think the prospect of a cutoff of assistance will get their attention and that the games being played with our security will finally stop," said Ros-Lehtinen, who chairs the panel, which yesterday passed the bill blocking US assistance to Pakistan, Egypt, Lebanon, Yemen and Palestinian Authority.<br /><br />Several other lawmakers supported the move.Ranking Democratic member Howard Berman agreed that the US should get tough with Pakistan but argued that the Republican bill's approach was shortsighted.</p>
<p>The powerful US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs yesterday passed the Defence Authorisation bill which prohibits further security aid to Pakistan until the Secretary of State provides certification affirming various aspects of Pakistani cooperation in the war on terror.<br /><br />It also prohibits further civilian assistance until the effectiveness of such programmes is certified by the Secretary of State, in addition to a certification on Pakistan's cooperation in the war on terror.<br /><br />"The language in this bill puts that (Pakistan) government on notice that it is no longer business as usual and that they will be held to account if they continue to refuse to cooperate with our efforts to eliminate the nuclear black market, destroy the remaining elements of Osama Bin Laden's network and vigorously pursue our counter-terrorism objectives," Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said.<br /><br />"I think the prospect of a cutoff of assistance will get their attention and that the games being played with our security will finally stop," said Ros-Lehtinen, who chairs the panel, which yesterday passed the bill blocking US assistance to Pakistan, Egypt, Lebanon, Yemen and Palestinian Authority.<br /><br />Several other lawmakers supported the move.Ranking Democratic member Howard Berman agreed that the US should get tough with Pakistan but argued that the Republican bill's approach was shortsighted.</p>