The war on terror has brought to a halt the Pakistani industry and has created severe fissures in the bedrock of our economic growth. For the last many decades America, our ‘fast friend’ and the most important ‘ally’, has never helped launch even a single mega project in Pakistan that could help in development and uplift of Pakistan. Washington claims to be the biggest donor of aid to Pakistan, probably 67 percent of the total aid Pakistan receives.
All the aid money is never given directly to the Pakistan government but to the departments, NGOs and specific bodies; even it is specified where to spend it. Restrictions are made to erect infrastructural frames or buildings. So much so the Kalabagh Dam could not be built due to America’s conditional aid.
Instead, China has always helped us. Whenever a Chinese leader or dignitary visited, he or she announced launch of some mega project worth multimillions. Whatever the cost we are paying in terms of life and sufferings is directly benefiting the enemy and whatever we are being paid in terms of CSF or else, is no way compensation to our sacrifices. Such a huge sacrifice does not demand its compensation. It has no parallel. What is required is that the US invests to establish, build and erect basic security and economic infrastructure in the country so that we are able to cope with everything by ourselves. But this we don’t see as an intention on the Americans’ end.
MARYA MUFTI
Lahore
