This topic was discussed on World Have Your Say on 11 July, 2011. Listen to the programme.
The US has decided to hold back $800m of aid from Pakistan, around a third of it's annual commitment, because some of the recent moves made by Pakistan. Ever since the killing of Osama bin Laden by US Navy seals on Pakistan soil back in May, the relationship has been strained.
People in Pakistan have told us on World Have Your Say many times over the past few months that they have sacrificed a lot in the campaign against terror, is this a fair way to repay them? White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley even admitted that the people of Pakistan have "been the victim of enormous amounts of terrorism".
Pakistan's former ambassador to the US, Meleeha Lodhi, told the BBC the US move would be counterproductive. She said:
"Washington is going to be left without any influence with the Pakistan army and with the people of Pakistan because this will be seen as an action that will punish Pakistan rather than provide an incentive for cooperation."
But could this move backfire on the US?
"Stung by the U.S. decision...... It seems Pakistan is willing to have a close relationship with China now. The senior Pakistani official said, "This tightening of U.S. military aid was expected. That's where our long-term relations with China will help to meet this gap."
This article believes holding back the aid won't have the desired effect of compelling the military to fight harder against the Taliban and al-Qaeda linked militants, but instead drive a wedge between them.
Patty in the US on facebook says
"A reasonable move would be my country cutting ALL aid to Pakistan not just military aid, although, this is a start. Pakistan needs to shut down the madrasses, they need to go to their border areas with Afghanistan and get rid of the fundamentalists. They really need to clean house in a major way."
Joshua in South Africa on facebook
" I think it is a good decision. I am hoping that Pakistan will undo some of the changes it has made, which caused this. America is trying to be helpful, yet Pakistan is resisting the help in some areas but wants it in others."
What will be the impact on US Pakistan relations?
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldhaveyoursay/2011/07/on_air_at_1100gmt_is_the_us_ri.html#293668
