Obama seeks millions from Cong to fortify US missions in Pak

As the threat to the US embassy in Pakistan has scaled up, mainly due to presence of al-Qaeda and Taliban in that country, president Barack Obama has asked Congress to release millions of dollars in emergency war funds to increase security of American missions and diplomats in the Islamic nation.

In his USD 83.4 billion supplemental request sent to the Congress early this week for the funding of the war against terror in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Obama proposed a separate USD 52.9 million for operating and security costs for the US missions in Pakistan.

In addition to this, Obama has requested USD 806.2 million to construct new secure and safe facilities in Pakistan, including a new US embassy building in Islamabad.

Notably, the US embassy in Islamabad had to be closed for a day this week in view of a serious security threat from the extremist organisations.

According to the supplemental request, of the USD 806.2 million for Pakistan, USD 736.5 million would fund a major upgrade of facilities in Islamabad to meet security and building infrastructure needs.

This includes USD 111 million for the construction in Islamabad of a new annex to accommodate approximately 330 personnel; USD 405 million for the renovation or replacement of the existing chancery for approximately 645 personnel; USD 108 million for permanent New Embassy Compound housing 156 units; USD 112.5 million for construction of US Marine Corps security guard quarters and general office facilities.

In addition, USD 29.6 million would support site acquisition for future construction of new consulate facilities in Lahore, and USD 40.1 million would support diplomatic facilities in Peshawar.

This request would also provide USD 55 million to deploy mobile mail screening units to protect US Government employees at various high risk facilities.