US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and several other congressmen have expressed concerns over the diversion of its aid money by Pakistan for other purposes, even as the United States has tried to build a firewall in this regard.
“Well, we certainly have constructed one,” Clinton told lawmakers at a Congressional hearing on Tuesday when Senator Jim Webb asked if the US had developed a firewall for the financial aid going into Pakistan to avoid chances of US money going into the expansion of the country’s nuclear programme. “I think the fair question is: Even with a firewall, if you provide aid for other purposes, does that permit the government then to divert funds that should be spent for health, education, energy, etc to that programme? And it remains a serious concern of mine,” Clinton said. She said that part of the ongoing dialogue with Pakistan is around the reforms the Pakistanis need to make for their own people, adding that Pakistan over the years had invested a great deal in its military.
“They have invested the great bulk of their revenues into their military establishment, including their nuclear programme, to the great cost of providing basic education, health care, electricity — the kinds of things that would demonstrate to the people of Pakistan they had a government that number one, cared about them; and number two, produced for them,” she said.
“So I can answer the direct question: Yes, we have a firewall, but that isn’t the end of the dialogue — as you know very well. And we’re going to keep pressing hard to make sure that, you know, the IMF and the World Bank and we and others are working toward the kind of reforms that are going to stabilise Pakistan for the long term,” Clinton said.
SHAKEEL AFRIDI: According to Washington Post, Clinton said Pakistan has “no basis” for detaining Dr Shakeel Afridi, who provided the US with key information before the raid on Osama Bin Laden’s compound. She said that Afridi’s work served Pakistani and American interests.
She spoke the truth.
not at alllllllll
had the money being used for right purpose den we wouldnt be facin dis bad situation des days….
This Government Is Looted the people of its own country how can they Use americas money for the right purpose!
I’m sure nothing gonna help until this government gets away !
Which Aid ?? Just few Peanuts ?
And off-course they only grant civil aid to their NGO’s in Pakistan not to the government
There’s some defense aid, but it already withheld with them since last 2 years..
Clinton's bluster on full display.
No comments as america is always playing foul and wrong game all the time.they manufacture the item and after fulfillings its requirements throw it in the dustbin.it is not a new thing.
Pressure tactics
I doubt it too. Pakistan should not be given any aid as long as this government is in power. People of Pakistan dont get a single penny from this aid. It is all looted by Zardari and his cronies
Giving aid under the present govt. is asking for more hatred towards United States. If America is using aid as tool of foreign policy then they should understand the resentment people have towards zardari/gillani govt. Any aid given to Pakistan will be seen as America wanting to keep the present political leadership in place and therefore resented by the common man on the street. The wisest thing America can do is to start investing in high profile projects like roads and bridges that ordinary people can see and use everyday. They should learn from the Koreans when they built the motorway. It generated not only goodwill but also business oppurtunities for the Koreans (Daewoo). America has to tread very carefully to not be seen as supporting the present govt. but at the same time not come across as promoting any other political party either. However, there is no harm in working behind the scenes to topple the zardari/gillani govt. People will be thankful for that 🙂
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