Pakistan was a major beneficiary of aid from the US geared towards fighting terrorism. Pakistan is a country that has been riddled with terror factions such as the Taliban group and some specs of al-Qaeda. The US is heavily involved in the global fight against terrorism and as a result, has been funding different nations with money and military assistance to help them combat localized terror factions. Pakistan was one of the beneficiaries of the US-based initiatives.
Recently, Donald Trump voiced his concern about the Pakistani government. He felt that the government was not accountable for the aid they received. As such, Trump claimed that the Pakistan government was secretly protecting and funding the terror faction in Pakistan. On an overall view, Trump was unhappy with Pakistan’s approach to terrorists in their own country. The US first level of withdrawal in the context of aid was suspending it’s $255-billion military aid to Pakistan. The second level is to withdraw all forms of economic aid to Pakistan.
The Economic Aid Withdrawal Bill
The bill was passed by Congress on Tuesday seeking to end all economic aid to Pakistan. The development came just a month after the US withdrew a $255-billion aid to Pakistan’s military. Pakistan’s national daily Dawn reported on Wednesday that the US House of Representatives joined the Senate to end economic aid to Pakistan. The report added that the Mark Sanford and Thomas Massie’s bill sought to prohibit the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department from sending American Taxpayer money to Pakistan. Mark is a Congressman from South Carolina and Thomas is from Kentucky.
Sanford said that when Americans support other nations, their kindness should not be used to aid terrorists with US taxpayer money. He added that the money is better being set aside to fund America’s infrastructure. His sentiments are in line with President Donald Trump’s call to get funding for America’s infrastructural improvement. Trump stated during his State of Union address that funding will come from Congress and private partners.
Reasons for Aid Withdrawal
India is one of the nations that are suffering because of terror harbored in Pakistan. With proof, India has numerously pointed out Pakistan’s transgressions leading to instability in the region. India also accuses Pakistan of providing terrorists with military aid and intelligence.
Deputy Secretary of State, John Sullivan told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during a Congressional hearing on Afghanistan on Tuesday, that they have had numerous discussions with their Pakistani partners on their expectation for change but Pakistan has continued to harbor the Taliban terrorists. Thus the decision to withdraw aid.
