Points to ponder
President Obama’s call for Congress to okay $1billion for aid to Pakistan comes at an important time for both countries, and indeed the region. Islamabad-Washington relations are typically straight forward and seldom based on long-term projects or deals. Quite simply, news of funds, aid and grants signals progress, of course, while sanctions – or even suspension of aid – speak of strains. And the State Department has not been this clear in quite a while. Placing Pakistan “at the heart of the US counter-terrorism strategy” seems a logical follow up of the convergence of interests that followed Zarb-e-Azb.
The recommended six-fold increase in military financing has triggered understandable debate in the international press. But it must be understood in the post-CSF environment. There is a desire to encourage a more thorough sweep with regard to the military operation. And the safety of nuclear installations, as always, is also high on Washington’s concerns. Finally the White House, and perhaps the Pentagon, has appreciated the need for securing the western border. With the Americans going and Kabul’s possible reconciliation with the Taliban still a fantasy – especially with the latter increasing in potency – Pakistan once again plays the most important role around the Durand Line.
The proposal also includes approximately $335m for ‘economic support fund’, extending the umbrella beyond military and terrorism. But the pitch is surprisingly short on details. Surely it would have been better to tie the economic component to specific projects and benchmarks to facilitate monitoring. Not many governments in Pakistan can boast a clear record of funds for economic uplift making their way to the right people. The military part is similar. Interestingly, CSF was basically reimbursement, and the new method restricts the donor’s influence in terms of application of funds. Hopefully whichever arrangement is reached will not ignore the important aspect of accountability. But for the moment it seems Pakistan’s position is in sync with Washington’s requirements, at least in terms of events surroundings its departure from Afghanistan.
