On a high profile visit to Pakistan today, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel informed the country that the $1.6 billion in annual aid they receive is conditional on them ending the public protests against US drone strikes, protests which led to the US to halt shipments from Afghanistan through Pakistan.

 

The aid resumed at the end of October, and almost immediately Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government, which had been condemning drone strikes regularly, started clamming up, so it’s clear this was meant to be part of the deal.

After today’s meeting, Sharif made it clear he believes the strikes are “counter-productive,” but Pentagon officials also say they received assurances from Sharif that something would be done about the protesters.