The text of the US aid bill, passed by the Senate and now introduced in the House, belies the impression created by earlier media reports that its revised version does not contain conditions, which would by any interpretation be considered damaging to the sovereignty of Pakistan and pregnant with dangerous forebodings. The bill is far too intrusive for comfort and requires that Pakistan provide direct access to Pakistani nationals associated with(nuclear proliferation) network, a reference to Dr A. Q. Khan. Besides, Islamabad has to give a detailed account of its efforts to prevent proliferation. These have been long-standing US demands constantly harped on by the Western media and thinktanks, which Pakistan has rightly and steadfastly refused to comply. To abide by them, it might have to lay bare its nuclear weapons system before US investigators, concede one point after the other and compromise the entire programme. The American campaign launched against the ISI since it developed differences with the CIA two years ago finds expression in the proviso that for Pakistan to qualify for the aid, the US Secretary of State has to certify that any elements within the Pakistan military or its intelligence agency have ceased support to terrorist groups, particularly those active against the US and NATO forces in Afghanistan. This should be none of the business of the US or for that matter any other foreign power. The bill also goes out of the way to please India when it conditions the aid on preventing Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad operating from Pakistan and indulging in crossborder attacks. There is also mention of the requirement of dismantling bases of Al-Qaeda, Taliban and other terrorist groups in places like FATA, Quetta and Muridke when provided with intelligence. In the backdrop of these crippling conditions one wonders what justification Ambassador Haqqani had in affirming that the aid sent a message to the people of Pakistan that the US was with them. Interestingly, its amount ($7.5 billion spread over a period of five years) looks peanuts when compared in terms of dollar value today with what Pakistan received ($3.5 billion) during the operation against the Soviets in Afghanistan. Yet the costs and sacrifices for Pakistan are far graver and weightier today.