US Funding Bill Targets Pakistan Aid Over Afridi's Imprisonment: What You Need to Know
US Legislation Proposes Aid Restrictions for Pakistan
In Washington, a proposed funding bill for the fiscal year 2026 suggests that a segment of US financial aid to Pakistan may be withheld. This information comes from the legislative text recently presented in the House of Representatives.
According to the bill, $33 million of the allocated funds for Pakistan will be withheld until the Secretary of State informs Congress that Dr. Shakil Afridi has been released from incarceration and absolved of all charges related to his assistance in locating Osama bin Laden.
This provision is included in a section labeled 'South and Central Asia,' which places Pakistan alongside Afghanistan and other nations under close congressional examination concerning security and human rights issues.
Additionally, the bill prohibits any US aid to the Taliban, stating that no funds appropriated by this Act or previous Acts can be utilized for assistance to the Taliban in Afghanistan.
The legislation also connects South Asia to broader human rights enforcement, mandating visa restrictions on Chinese officials if the Secretary of State possesses credible information regarding their involvement in severe human rights violations against Tibetans.
Introduced on January 12 by Representative Tom Cole, the Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026, has been referred to the House Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on the Budget. This bill is part of a larger consolidated package aimed at funding US government operations until September 30, 2026.
The legislation encompasses national security, diplomatic efforts, and foreign assistance programs managed by the Department of State and related agencies. It outlines regional allocations and restrictions across various titles, with further details provided in explanatory statements linked to the Act.
For South and Central Asia, the bill continues the trend of imposing political and legal conditions on US assistance. The stipulation regarding Pakistan is particularly specific, directly linking the release of funds to a certification from the Secretary of State.
Dr. Afridi was imprisoned after aiding US intelligence in confirming the location of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad prior to the 2011 operation that resulted in his death. His detention has been a contentious topic in US-Pakistan relations.
Congress has frequently utilized appropriations legislation to impose restrictions or conditions on aid to Pakistan, citing concerns over counterterrorism cooperation and unresolved bilateral issues, even as Washington maintains engagement in the region for security and stability.