Pakistan sends fresh two bln dollar CSF war bill to U.S.

Islamabad, Aug. 29 (ANI): Pakistan has dispatched fresh bills worth 2 billion dollars to the U.S. on account of repayments due under the Coalition Support Fund (CSF), according to official sources.

"The Joint Staff Headquarters forwarded CSF bills worth 2 billion dollars for the period between May 2011 and June 2012 to the U.S. after accomplishing procedural requirements," The News quoted official sources, as saying.

Official sources said they don't know when the fresh bills will be honoured but they expect to receive between 400-600 million dollars in the next few months.

Meanwhile, official spokesman for the Finance Ministry, Rana Assad Amin, says the ministry doesn't know the details about the new bills, as the subject is the domain of the Joint Staff Headquarters.

The spokesperson of the U.S. Embassy too wasn't aware of the specific details of fresh billing.

According to Amin, Pakistan had hoped to get 1.5 billion dollars under the CSF head during the current fiscal year, of which 1.1 billion dollars have already been received.

"Obviously, should this money come in, it will be helpful for the budget and the balance of payments and will offer some breathing space," said economist Dr Meekal Ahmed.

Significantly, the U.S has rejected almost 35 to 40 percent of claims made by Pakistan under the CSF in the last decade. (ANI)