WASHINGTON, March 14: The US Senate has overwhelmingly approved a legislation featuring restrictions on US military assistance to Pakistan as well as calls for restoration of democracy.

The legislation, approved on Tuesday evening, aims at implementing many of the remaining reforms suggested by the Sept 11 commission.

The House of Representatives has already approved a similar version which calls for harsher restrictions on US aid to Pakistan.

On March 7, Senators John Kerry, Christopher Dodd and Joe Biden submitted an amendment to the Senate version, saying: “US military assistance to Pakistan should be guided by demonstrable progress by the government of Pakistan in achieving certain objectives related to counterterrorism and democratic reforms.”

The bill was approved with the amendment, which also urges Pakistan to help dismantle existing proliferation networks and prevent nuclear proliferation.

“A democratic, stable, and prosperous Pakistan that is a full and reliable partner in the struggle against Al Qaeda and the Taliban and a responsible steward of its nuclear weapons and technology is vital to the national security of the United States and to combating international terrorism,” says the amendment.

It notes that since Sept 11, 2001, Pakistan has been an important partner in removing the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and combating Al Qaeda and international terrorism, “engaging in operations that have led to the deaths of hundreds of Pakistani security personnel and enduring acts of terrorism and sectarian violence that have killed many innocent civilians.”

But it also notes that “senior US military and intelligence officials have stated that the Taliban and Al Qaeda have established critical sanctuaries in Pakistan from where Al Qaeda is rebuilding its global terrorist network and Taliban forces are crossing into Afghanistan and attacking Afghan, US, and International Security Assistance Force personnel.

“Now, therefore, be it resolved, that it is the sense of the Senate that:

(1) It is the policy of the United States:

(a) To maintain and deepen its long-term strategic partnership with Pakistan;

(b) To work with the government of Pakistan to combat international terrorism and to end the use of Pakistani territory as a safe haven for Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and associated terrorist organisations, including through the integration and development of Fata;

(c) To work with the government of Pakistan to dismantle existing proliferation networks and prevent nuclear proliferation;

(d) To work to facilitate the peaceful resolution of all bilateral disputes between Pakistan and its neighboring countries;

(e) To encourage the transition in Pakistan to a fully democratic system of governance; and

(f) To implement a robust aid strategy that supports programmes in Pakistan related to education, governance, rule of law, women's rights, medical access, and infrastructure development; and

(2) The determination of appropriate levels of US military assistance to Pakistan should be guided by demonstrable progress by the government of Pakistan in:

(a) Preventing Al Qaeda and associated terrorist organisations from operating in the territory of Pakistan, including by eliminating terrorist training camps or facilities, arresting members of Al Qaeda and associated terrorist organisations, and countering recruitment efforts;

(b) Preventing the Taliban from using the territory of Pakistan as a sanctuary from which to launch attacks within Afghanistan, including by arresting Taliban leaders, stopping cross-border incursions, and countering recruitment efforts; and

(c) Implementing democratic reforms, including by allowing free, fair and inclusive elections at all levels of government in accordance with internationally recognised democratic norms.”