A key US Congressional panel has voted to impose tougher conditions on Pakistan to receive US assistance. It also authorised the Secretary of State to suspend aid if Islamabad fails to take effective actions against terrorist groups. <br/><br/>Yesterday, the House Appropriations Committee approved by voice vote the 2018 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill. The legislation seeks certification from Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, for disbursement of US aid to Pakistan, making it conditional for Islamabad to take action against terrorist groups. <br/><br/>Under the bill, Tillerson is asked to certify that Pakistan is cooperating with the US in counter-terrorism efforts against the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and al-Qaeda. The efforts also include taking effective steps to prevent such terrorist groups from basing and operating in Pakistan and carrying out cross-border attacks into neighbouring countries. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.