Monday, March 22, 2004
US pays Pakistan $100 mn per month for logistics support
Press Trust of India Islamabad, March 22
Pakistan receives almost $100 million per month from the US for the logistics support it provides to American troops in the war against terrorism, according to a report.
The logistics support payments increased by 83.3 per cent during July-December 2003 to total $581 million or about $97 million a month, according to a half yearly review report of the Asian Development Bank released on Sunday.
Pakistan and the US signed an Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) in early 2002 to facilitate reciprocal provision of logistics support and services between the two armed forces, to be used primarily during combined exercising, training, deployments or operations.
Items permitted under the ACSA include food, water, transportation, communications and medical services and also covers use of facilities, training services, repairs and maintenance etc.
The agreement was mainly concluded to formalise the arrangement of logistical support offered to the US forces in Afghanistan.
Pakistan furnishes monthly bills to the US in this regard, and it pays these charges out of its defence allocations. The billing varies depending on the usage and consumption pattern in a given month.
Initially, the government hoped a payment of around 60-75 million dollars a month, but recent upsurge indicates heightened activity of the US troops in the region.
Last year, a report of the US Central Command detailed this logistical support in the operation enduring freedom, saying Pakistan provided five air bases/ airfields, and in emergency landing rights for planes anywhere in Pakistan.
© Hindustan Times Ltd. 2004.