Pakistan "concerned" over cut in U.S. aid

In this picture taken on June 11, 2011, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha , heads of Pakistan's military-run spy network Inter-Services Intelligence, salutes during meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan. / AP

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's prime minister expressed concern Wednesday over U.S. plans to suspend around $800 million in military aid to his country, saying it could damage Pakistan's fight against Islamist militants and further endanger the world.

Yousuf Raza Gilani's comments suggest Pakistan's civilian leaders are, at least publicly, more wary of the cuts than the Pakistani army, which operates largely beyond civilian control and has downplayed the aid issue. They also came as Pakistan's spy chief headed to Washington for meetings Wednesday.

The U.S.-Pakistan relationship has been on a downward spiral since the May 2 U.S. raid that killed al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in a Pakistani garrison town. Pakistani leaders have protested the unilateral raid by kicking out many American military trainers and asking the U.S. to reduce its footprint in the country.

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On Sunday, President Barack Obama's chief of staff, William Daley, said the U.S. was suspending more than one-third — or $800 million — of its military aid to Pakistan until the two countries can resolve their differences enough to work together.

The Pakistani army has said it has no intention of stopping its fight against insurgents who have attacked the Pakistani state, and that it will continue to do so with its own resources. The statements have appeared designed to deflect notions that the Pakistani military is too reliant on American aid.

Gilani, however, said he was worried about the U.S. decision.

"We are concerned over this issue of aid because we are in the middle of the war against terrorism and extremism," the premier said during a televised news conference in the southwestern city of Quetta. "Though this is our own war, we are fighting the war for the entire world, for the peace and prosperity and progress of the whole world."

Earlier Wednesday, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha, the head of Pakistan's powerful Inter-Services Intelligence agency, headed for talks in Washington, army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas confirmed.

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Although he was reportedly angry at being left out of the loop on the U.S. raid, Pasha's trip could be an opportunity for both sides to improve ties.

Pakistani leaders insist they had no idea that bin Laden was hiding in the northwest town of Abbottabad, and U.S. leaders have said that to date they've seen no evidence that the top echelon of Pakistan's civilian and military leadership knew the terror chief's whereabouts.

But suspicions have lingered that rogue elements of Pakistan's security establishment, which historically has had connections with various militant groups, helped hide bin Laden.

[GeoHull]

End all foreign aid. Withdraw from the UN. Cut the military budget by 80%. Bring all military people back to US soil. Use the military to help make America self sufficient. Eliminate the federal reserve. These ideas will fix every problem we have now.

[Mark869]

Cry me a river, you duplicitous jerks. You should have thought of the consequences of playing double-agent before you engaged in backstabbing the US of A. I'll bet the Pakis are also involved in the recent Mumbai terror attacks; we all know how much they love India.

[Mark869]

Cry me a river, you duplicitous jerks. You should have thought of the consequences of playing double-agent before you engaged in backstabbing the US of A. I'll bet the Pakis are also involved in the recent Mumbai terror attacks; we all know how much they love India.

[buckn]

Why were we sending aid to them in the first place? They hate the US and no amount of dollars would buy their friendship anyway. The US is sinking in a sea of debt, yet we send more and more aid to places like Pakistan. WHY? We just simply can't afford the luxury of trying to save the world anymore. We need to focuson trying to save ourselves right now.

[agnesdeo]

Yes, we need to keep those wealthy Pakistan corrupt leaders in their luxury and power. Sad to say. Let Red China continue to support them.

[tsigili]

Pakistan reaps the end result, of their behaviors.

[Dgunner]

KILL THEM ALL BUT SEVEN THEY WILL THEM FOR PALL BEARERS!

[tsigili]

What fight against militants? Pakistan is harboring the militants, not fighting against them.

[betterusa]

Lets F**K the Senior Citizens with cuts to Medicare and no SS check in August but I bet my bottom dollar once Pakistan comes to Washington and lies and begs, Obama will cave and give them all the money they want. The US is by far the number one export customer and caretaker of Pakistan and how do they show their gratitude - by giving nuclear secrets to our sworn enemies and help hide many of our terrorist targets. Why the hell do we put up with their lies and rhetoric? We don't have the money for our own people but we can send it to them when they lie how not giving Pakistan money will hurt the US. How the hell is that? NO MORE AID, NO MORE EXPORTS.

[geez-every-name-is-taken]

im more concerned on the real program the GOP have for us in usa... Pakistan just took our money and worked against us as much as for us.. They gave Korea and Iran the Nuclear Bomb, screw them and screw the lying GOP, " no new taxes " um, you see what they did to Michigan? cut super rich 1.7 billion taxes then they " RAISED TAXES" on retired and poor for 1.5 billion and calling it a tax cut! wake up America, you know your really not in that top2% and need to stop pretending and sabotaging your own class!