The United States is halting hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid for Pakistan, a key ally in the fight against Islamic terrorism, amid the bitter fall-out from the unauthorised raid to kill Osama bin Laden in May.
Washington has poured billions of dollars into Pakistan since 9/11 to help its military tackle al-Qaeda and Taliban groups along the border with Afghanistan.
However, the relationship between the two countries has soured in recent weeks as the Pakistan military tries to reassert itself after the humiliation of the secret US raid on its soil – and the US pushes for more action in taking on militants.
Bill Daley, the White House Chief of Staff, said some aid would now be stopped as he admitted the relationship was expriencing 'difficulties’.
“It’s a complicated relationship in a very difficult, complicated part of the world,” he told ABC’s This Week programme.
“Until we get through these difficulties, we will hold back some of the money that the American taxpayers have committed to give them.”
