From 2002 to 2017, the United States has given Pakistan nearly $34 billion in economic, humanitarian and security aid. On average, over the last five years, the United States has pledged over $1 billion in security funding. In fiscal year 2017, the U.S. had pledged nearly $1.2 billion in total security funding. $250 million of that U.S. aid was earmarked for purchasing military equipment. The rest was allocated for reimbursing Pakistan for its alleged counter-terrorism operations.

As of this week, most of that $1.2 billion is now frozen. Pakistan has repeatedly failed to uphold its end of the agreement to target the Taliban or the infamous Haqqani terrorist network that operates out of their northern tribal region. If Pakistan continues to support terrorism, the country could be denied close to another $1 billion in 2018.

We applaud the administration's decisive action. Just days ago, the president threatened to cut U.S. aid to Pakistan; he followed through in less than a week. No longer will Pakistan be allowed to build their armies and line their pockets with U.S. taxpayer dollars and then betray our interest and fund terrorist who kill Americans.

At the ACLJ, we have advocated for this policy change for years. Pakistan is not just a terrorist hotbed, but also an infamous persecutor of Christians. Under the authority of the International Religious Freedom Act, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has designated Pakistan as a country of particular concern (CPC) for its "particularly severe," "systematic, ongoing and egregious" violation of religious freedom.

In one instance, Bashiran Bibi, an elderly Pakistani Christian woman, was beaten by an influential Muslim man for refusing to clean his home. Through our office in Pakistan, we fought for Bibi and held the perpetrators accountable. Yet, many more Christians still suffer. Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian mother of five, has been on death row for over seven years because of her Christian faith just for offering a Muslim co-worker a glass of water. Every day, we fight to defend the lives and liberties of innocent Christians suffering in Pakistan. (Photo: Pakistani Christian mother, Asia Bibi who is still on death row/via Gospel Herald)

The United States should never fund terrorists, and no U.S. taxpayer dollars should ever fund the persecution of Christians, or anyone else, on account of their faith. Denying Pakistan this vital security aid is a powerful first step.

With your help, we can continue to advocate for common sense national security actions and to defend Christians facing persecution in Pakistan and around the world.

For the original article, visit aclj.org

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Barron Trump Is 'Very Close' to Salvation, Says Pastor Who Had Midnight Call With the First Son

'Country Ever After' Star Loses 7-Year Battle to Colon Cancer: 'Slipped Into the Arms of Jesus'

FBI Warns About Ransom Scams Involving Fake 'Proof of Life' Photos

The Hill: Somali Scandal Could Sink Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's Political Career

ICE Warns Illinois Is Releasing Violent Criminal Illegal Aliens Despite Detainers: 'They're Deciding that Dangerous Criminals ... Are More Important Than the Families That Live Here'

Inflation Lower than Expected, New BEA Report Reveals, Sparking Fed Rate-Cut Hopes

Nigeria Secures Release of 100 Schoolchildren Abducted from Catholic School after Weeks in Captivity

US Supreme Court Approves Lone Star State's New Congressional Maps

Street Preacher's Arrest in Mississippi Sparks Supreme Court Case on Free Speech Rights

Trump Offers Plan for Healthcare Cost Crisis, GOP Senator Vows 'We're Going to Fix Obamacare'

Nigerian Persecution Horror: Expert Dismantles Disturbing Media Narrative

Man Dies on Operating Table, Meets Jesus, Sees Heaven; Stunned Doctor Says: 'God's Not Done with You'

Florida Moves to Redistrict in Congressional Maps Arms Race

Maduro's Ex-Insider Turns Whistleblower, Sends President Trump an Explosive Letter

Experts Warn Parents AI Christmas Toys Put Kids at Risk: 'Trouble in Toyland' [Video]

Pete Hegseth to Bring Christmas Back to the Pentagon: Blaze Exclusive

Iryna's Law Needs to Be Replicated Around the Country

Navy Admiral Set to Testify on Capitol Hill About Drug Boat Strike in Caribbean That Killed Survivors

DOJ: University of Delaware Student Allegedly Plotted Attack on Campus Police; Illegal Weapons Recovered

'Unbelievable Revival': God Is Moving with Power in Transnistria Despite Russia's Heavy Hand [Video]