Special Briefing | “A New Course for Pakistan”?

In our report last September, "A Perilous Course," the PCR Project found that the United States was spending a significant amount of aid to Pakistan on it's military. Considering the United States engagement in Afghanistan and on the Durand line, it is hardly surprising a considerable portion of U.S. aid goes to the military. However, of the over $10 billion the United States provided Pakistan since 2002, only $1.15 billion was spent on development, as of 2007. Yesterday, the Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, held a hearing on "U.S. Assistance to South Asia: Is there a strategy to go with all that money?" Richard A. Boucher, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, U.S. Department of State made remarks on the "strategic vision" behind the $2 billion request for South Asia aid for 2009. Boucher explains, "much of our request remains concentrated in Afghanistan and Pakistan, which are key to regional stability." In addition to security and counter-terrorism capabilities, Boucher highlights democracy promotion and investment in strengthening society i.e. health, education, rule of law, etc. as a part of the strategy to strengthen the region and combat extremism. Pakistan's recent transition to a civilian government presents an opportunity for the United States to make good on its word to support the "foundations of democracy: education, rule of law, access to information, technology. " The PCR Project just released, "A New Course for Pakistan," detailing the four critical areas the United States could focus on that would comply fully with American values and principles, and would allow America, as well, to fulfill its promise. 1) Rule of Law, 2) Governance, 3) Economic Reform, 4) Security. These areas similarly align with the strategy Boucher identified. I hope that unlike in previous years, as "A Perilous Course" pointed out (see above), a more proportionate amount of aid will go to Pakistan's development, allowing for Pakistanis to feel tangible progress. The full text of Boucher's testimony as prepared for delivery is available here.