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

Pro-Life Victory for Preborn Babies with Down Syndrome in Ohio; Court Upholds Law Banning Abortions

Dismantling Some Abortion Lies, Half-Truths, and Propaganda

TX Bill Would Make It Illegal to Change the Gender of Minors, Charging Parents Who Consent With Child Abuse

Black Pro-Life Group Slams MLB's Decision to Pull All-Star Game Out of Georgia

Pentagon Develops Microchip That Detects COVID When Inserted Under Skin

Good News: Florida Reports COVID Deaths in Single Digits for First Time In Seven Months

Michigan Deputies Rescue an Abandoned 4-Month-Old Baby

'The Lord Has Blessed Me': 104-Year-Old WV Man Packs 1,000th Shoebox for Operation Christmas Child

US Recommends a 'Pause' in Administering the Johnson & Johnson COVID Vaccine Due to Blood Clots

'They Can Take Our Facility, But We'll Just Find Another One': Canadian Church Goes Underground; Pastor Coates Leads from a Secret Location

A New Strategy to pass the Born-Alive Protection Act: How You Can Take Action

Alveda King: Voter ID Denial, Slavery and Abortion Are Identity Theft

More Than 30 States Now Considering Bills to Ban Sexually Confused Boys from Girls Sports

'This Means Everything': Sean Feucht Receives William J. Seymour Award at 2021 Azusafest; Reports ALS Sufferers Getting Out of Wheelchairs

Très Bien!: New Openness to the Gospel in France

'She's Unbelievable!': Baby Girl Miraculously Survives to Hug Twin Brother

Supreme Court Rules to Lift California's Restrictions on Bible Studies, Prayer Meetings in Private Homes

Rep. Dan Crenshaw Asking for Prayers after Undergoing Emergency Eye Surgery

PRAY: Iran Vows Revenge against Israel as Attack Inflicts 9 Months of Damage on Iran's Nuclear Program

Republicans Block Biden's Sending of $150 Million to Palestinians