Hearing of the Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade Subcommittee and the Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee of the Houe Foreign Affairs Committee - Pakistan: Friend or Foe in the Fight Against Terrorism?

Hearing

Chairman Poe on the Hearing: "Pakistan's long history of ties to terrorist groups, including those with American blood on their hands, is well documented. Pakistan's military intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), provide support to various terrorist organizations, including the Taliban, al-Qaeda, and the Haqqani network, in a bid to exert influence over Pakistan's regional rivals. In May 2016, the leader of the Afghani Taliban was killed in a U.S. drone strike while in Pakistan, reinforcing Pakistan's image as an unquestionable safe haven for terrorist groups. In fact, in the most recent Country Reports on Terrorism, the State Department noted that Pakistan "did not take substantial action against the Afghan Taliban or HQN [the Haqqani network.]' Despite the mounting evidence of Pakistan's collusion with global terrorism, Pakistan is among the leading recipients of U.S. foreign assistance, with Congress appropriating more than $33 billion to Islamabad since 2002. This hearing will give Members the opportunity to learn more about Pakistan's longstanding ties to terrorist groups and allow for a more informed reassessment of U.S. foreign policy priorities vis-à-vis Islamabad."

Chairman Salmon on the Hearing: "The United States has spent tens of billions of taxpayer dollars in aid to Pakistan since 9/11. Now, fifteen years later, Pakistan's military and intel services are still linked to terrorist organizations and little success has been made to stabilize the region. We must take a closer look at U.S. goals, expectations and our aid spending in the region. In this hearing, we will discuss the Administration's failed policy toward Pakistan and debate the best way forward."

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