Pledging “strong and mutually respectful” relationship with Pakistan, the United States Tuesday said its civilian assistance to Islamabad has continued unhindered including during the blockade of NATO supply routes.
“We consider bilateral US civilian assistance to be an important component of that relationship and believe it can help Pakistan become a more prosperous, stable, and democratic state, which serves the national interests of both the United States and Pakistan,” the State Department said.
In response to a question on the subject, the Office of Spokesperson said U.S. “civilian assistance to Pakistan has been ongoing throughout the closure of the NATO supply lines and has continued after their opening.”
While figures for this fiscal year are not yet available, since the passage of the Kerry-Lugar-Berma legislation in October 2009, the US government has disbursed $2.8 billion in civilian assistance, including approximately $1 billion in emergency humanitarian assistance, the Department said.
“Our non-humanitarian civilian assistance funds are spent in five priority sectors: energy, economic growth, stabilization of vulnerable areas, education, and health. Notably, in 2011 the people of the United States supported the construction of 210 kilometers of road in FATA and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, funded the world’s largest Fulbright exchange program, and sponsored initiatives promoting private sector growth and civil society development in Pakistan.”
With regard to Coalition Support Funds, the spokesperson referred reporters to the Department of Defense.
The US Administration’s emphasis on the importance of civilian aid for Pakistan came amid claim by an America senator, Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky, that he has enough support to force a vote on his measure to end all aid to Pakistan if Dr Shakil Afridi is not released.
“If Dr. Afridi is still in jail next week, I will force this vote,” Paul said on the floor Tuesday morning.
Dr Afridi worked for CIA in hunt for bin Laden but has been sentenced to 33 years imprisonment on charges of his links to militant organiztions. Paul claimed he now has the necessary number of signatures on a cloture petition to force the vote. Pending the outcome of the appeal trial of Afridi, Paul said he would call for a vote on cutting aid to the Pakistani government as early as July 20.
A report in The Hill publication said the Obama administration and many lawmakers are reluctant to cut funds for Pakistan. The country is seen as a key ally in maintaining peace in neighboring Afghanistan and for its assistance in operations against terror groups.
