Pakistan - News and Discussion 6

[Naresh]

First it was dumped like <b>A Used Condom</b>

Then it was dumped like <b>Used Toilet Paper</b>

Now it is being treaded like <b>A Pariah Dog</b>

<b>US cuts down aid to Pakistan</b>

<b>WASHINGTON (Online) – The United States’ foreign aid to Pakistan has been reduced from the current fiscal year by 250 million dollars to 300 million dollars owing to Islamabad’s failure “to do enough’’ to improve democracy and human rights.

According to the appropriations bill that was passed yesterday by the House of Representatives by a 373-34 vote, the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) funds for Pakistan for 2007 were also dropped to 200 million dollars, with a decrease of 100 million dollars from the current fiscal.

The bill specifically cited the ‘’increasing lack of respect for human rights, especially women’s rights, and the lack of progress for improving democratic governance and the rule of law,’’ as chief reasons for reducing Pakistan’s funds.</b>

The House of Representatives also voted Friday to spend $21.3 billion on foreign aid but cut money President Bush wanted for Iraq, Afghanistan and a programme that rewards countries moving toward democracy and good government.

Rep. Jim Kolbe, chairman of the foreign aid spending subcommittee, said he had to slice $2.4 billion from the president’s request to free money for pressing needs at home.

“I am proud of this bill, but I can also honestly say it has probably been the most difficult one I have put together,” he said.

The Bush administration said it has serious concerns that lawmakers did not provide enough money to meet its foreign policy and humanitarian goals.

<b>Our correspondent from Islamabad adds: 'Absolutely baseless' were the remarks when the reaction of the Foreign Office spokesperson was sought on a report from Washington that the United States has cut down aid to Pakistan due to its poor human rights record.</b>

Reacting sharply, Ms Tasnim Aslam said as the budget procedure in the United States was going on and the administration had proposed overall cuts, the Congress had suggested reduction in the expenditures, which is not Pakistan-specific only.

She recalled last year also the Congress had cut the overall budget but the US administration fulfilled the gap by providing 701 million dollars to Pakistan by allocating the sum from some other sources.

This time the spokesperson was not sure what the US administration would do the same, but she expressed
optimism that the subsequent procedure would be followed.

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