Updated on
Summary The US has cut aid to Pakistan from 1.5 billion dollars in 2010 to 1.1 billion dollars this year.
According to a State Department report, the US goals in the region more than a decade after the September, 11 terror attacks triggered the war against al-Qaeda and the progress after billions of dollars have been spent and American lives lost.A low point came in May when US forces found and killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden deep inside Pakistan.The report further says that the administration insisted it will continue to provide civilian aid to Pakistan, which has fallen from 1.5 billion dollars in the 2010 fiscal year to 1.1 billion dollars this year.The report said next year’s levels are uncertain, but the administration reaffirms its “commitment to providing robust, multiyear civilian assistant to Pakistan.”According to the report, it is unclear how much Congress will push to reduce funds for Pakistan as lawmakers consider spending bills for the State Department and foreign operations.Meanwhile, the report suggested that a low-cost route toward improving stability in the region would be expanding US market access for both Pakistan and Afghanistan.”Though a tremendous amount has been accomplished, we also have no illusions about the task before us,” the report said about Afghanistan.The State Department report further said ”We expect that ongoing violence, lack of institutional and human capacity, discrimination against women and vulnerable groups, and Afghanistan’s incredibly low economic baseline will remain difficult challenges.”The report said the US has reached its ”high water mark” for civilian funding and the government in Kabul must move toward establishing revenue sources.The report concluded the US will build a foundation for the Afghans to assume responsibility for their future.The report was delivered to Congress on Thursday.
