ISLAMABAD, 19 JAN, (DNA) – The United Sates has disbursed 13.7 billion US to Pakistan under the Coalition Support Fund (CSF), which began soon after 9/11, another 2 billion dollars are still pending, a senate committee was informed on Tuesday.

The CSF money is reimbursed to coalition partners for logistical and military support provided to U.S. military operations related to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

The Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Lt. Gen. (retd) Alam Khattak, informed the Committee that another two billion dollars are still pending, a Committee’s statement said.

He also said the U.S. Congress has approved 100 million dollars for better border management between Pakistan and Afghanistan which would be used for capacity building of the paramilitary Frontier Corps, infrastructure in the tribal regions as well as the building of border posts.

The Committee was briefed by the Secretary, Ministry of Defence, and his team regarding the recently concluded Pakistan-US security dialogue in Washington as well as the visit of the Army Chief to the United States.

The Committee also urged the need for effective and proactive diplomacy by the Government of Pakistan through its Embassy in Washington so that curbs being put on US military aid to Pakistan by linking it with certification from the US Secretary of Defence would be removed.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Mushahid Hussain and other members of the Committee welcomed the $100 million budget for border management and he said the time has come that the Pakistan government takes practical steps for rehabilitation of the displaced persons in the tribal regions.

Millions had been displaced due to operations against the armed groups in the seven tribal regions over the past 12 years. Many have been rehabilitated, but tens of thousands are still live in camps and rented houses.

Mushahid said the gov’t should present an innovative plan for socio-economic development of the FATA areas, which should include political reforms as well.

The Committee appreciated the role of Lt. Gen. (R) Alam Khattak and his team in effectively projecting, promoting and protecting Pakistan’s national security interests at the bilateral Pakistani American security dialogue in Washington.

The Committee also got a briefing on the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) and its working and the Committee was briefed that so far, the DHA had allocated 8901 plots to the families of the Shuhada. The DHA promised to revert back to the Committee with responses of specific questions that had been asked and the DHA was directed to give detailed, written relies by February 15, 2016.

The Committee unanimously approved the National University of Medical Sciences Act 2015 (The National University of Medical Sciences (Amendment) Bill, 2015 and also recommended that a Member of the Parliament should be included in Board of Governor of the proposed National University of Medical Sciences.

Responding to an application moved by Senator Maulana Attaur Rehman as well as a call attention notice of Senator Usman Khan Kakar regarding the Swat Cantonment, the Chairman of the Senate Defence Committee, Senator Mushahid Hussain invited residents of Khawaza Khela to attend the Committee meeting and give a presentation of their perspective.

After hearing the response from Maj. Gen. Farrukh Rashid, Director General, Military Land & Cantonment, the Chairman constituted a 3-member sub-committee to be headed by Senator Lt. Gen. (R) Salahuddin Tirmizi and comprising Senator Maulana Attaur Rehman and Senator Farhatullah Babar, which would further investigate the matter and endeavor to bring about an amicable solution of the issue.

The sub-committee was asked to give its report to the Defence Committee by March 23, 2016. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the Chair. =DNA