Taking Charge on Aid to Pakistan

For this first time since 2004, Congress has set restrictions on the $6 billion, five-year program to provide military and economic aid to Pakistan. Yesterday, Congress' aid restrictions were approved in the spending bill by both the House and Senate and sent to President Bush. The restrictions center on withholding $50 million in military aid until SecState Rice certifies that Islamabad has restored democratic rights, including in the judiciary. Although, as the WashPost author notes, without much publicity earlier this month, the Bush administration decided to "stop making an annual $200 million cash payment to the Pakistani government, instead converting those funds to programs for Pakistan that will be administered by USAID." Pakistan remains an ally on the war against terror, but perhaps both Congress and the administration are beginning to see the larger importance of aid accountability.

We believe the measure taken by both Congress and Bush administration is one to be commended, considering our report, "A Perilous Course" recommending a reevaluation of the over $10 billion in aid Washington's given the country the past six years. If publicized in Pakistan, it's likely those Pakistanis concerned with what they consider Musharraf's latest undemocratic measures will view Congress's actions as a success.