Fertiliser client list critical for $700m US funding

ISLAMABAD: From compiling a customer list of a particular fertilizer plant in Pakistan to other measures, the US and Pakistan governments are working closely to ensure the continuation of the US $700 million funding tied to the certification of US Congress that Pakistan is making progress on counter-terrorism efforts, including the production of Improvised Explosive Devices.

The authenticity of demands of the fertiliser factory’s clients is being investigated to prevent its smuggling into Afghanistan, The News has learnt. The US wants to put in place a mechanism that would ensure that the input chemicals and the end product are not misused.

The modalities and systems of the proposed mechanism have yet to be shared by authorities but related government functionaries insist that efforts are afoot to design a regulatory mechanism that would ensure the fertiliser’s legal use within the country, without any US involvement.

According to an informed insider, US authorities believe that the input chemicals and fertiliser produced by this plant is being smuggled into Afghanistan and used in making IEDs. It is pertinent to point out that fertiliser based IED’s are routinely used by the Afghan Taliban in attacking US and Nato forces.

US and Pakistani authorities are also considering establishing a special force to ensure that products of this particular fertiliser plant cannot be smuggled into Afghanistan. Pakistani authorities say that it is not easy to stop smuggling keeping in view the long and porous border between the two countries.

“US authorities gave us the proposal to designate pink color bags to the concerned fertiliser plant but that proposal was turned down by Islamabad’s high-ups on the argument that its smuggling with the involvement of any other country into Afghanistan could cause problems for Pakistan,” said a senior official involved in the crucial talks between Washington and Islamabad.