US House panel approves limits on aid to Pak

The bill would withhold 75 per cent of the $1.1 billion in US aid to Pakistan until the administration reports to Congress on how it would spend the money. Reflecting the frustration with Pakistans effort in battling terrorism,the committee adopted an amendment that gives Congress even more power to review spending.

Lawmakers urged President Barack Obama to step up the pace of US troop withdrawals from Afghanistan and endorsed tougher oversight of US spending in Pakistan as the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee debated defence spending for next year.

Democratic Representative Norman Dicks warned the cost of the conflict in Afghanistan was becoming unsustainable. I am increasingly convinced that the administration has to accelerate the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan and at the same time work for a political settlement, Dicks said. While endorsing the president on Iraq and Afghanistan,Dicks said it is not going to be realistic to continue funding the wars at the current levels in coming years.

The Senate is still working on its version of the bill. The two houses must pass the same bill before sending it to Obama for his signature.

The panel agreed to a proposal by Representative Jeff Flake to tighten congressional oversight over $1.1 billion in counterinsurgency funds approved for Pakistan. Congress would have 30 days to review administration spending plans before 75 percent of the funds could be released.

The bill approved by the committee cuts from Obamas request for 2012 defence spending,mainly by delaying procurement and development costs for some weapons systems.