US unlikely to renew aid to Pak under Kerry-Lugar-Berman Bill

[Shah-i-Kot]

US unlikely to renew aid to Pak under Kerry-Lugar-Berman Bill


Press Trust of India | Washington April 23, 2014 Last Updated at 12:46 IST



The Obama Administration is unlikely to renew financial assistance to Pakistan under the Kerry-Lugar-Berman Bill when its five-year term expires in October this year, but the robust civilian aid is expected to continue, albeit in reduced quantity.

The civilian aid worth USD 4.1 billion has been actually provided to Pakistan so far of the USD 7.5 billion (USD 1.5 billion per annum) for the five-year period 2009-2014, that was authorised by the Congress under the Bill - also known as the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act - that was signed into law by US President Barack Obama in October 2009, according to figures accessed by PTI.

While there is no official word on the future of the Bill from the US government as it comes to an end in October this year, all indications are that the piece of legislation which five years ago was billed as "landmark" and reflective of the long-term US commitment to Pakistan has served its purpose in strengthening of democratic institutions, education and civil society and does not need to be renewed, as initially planned.

The Bill has set the stage for a longer term cooperation between the two countries, it is being argued.

The change in plan is partly due to the repeated insistence of the Pakistan government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that his country wants "trade and not aid", partly by the implementation constraints there and also by America's own budgetary constraints and of late the need to find funds for new crisis areas like Ukraine and Syria.

This was indicated a few weeks ago when a powerful Congressional committee cut USD 10 million from the Bill for Ukraine, after Russia annexed Crimea through military intervention.

The House of Representatives and the Senate, however, did not approve diversion of this fund from Pakistan.

Authoritative figures available with PTI indicate that the civilian aid appropriated to Pakistan during these five years period (2009-2014) touched the USD 1.5 billion mark only once.

In the fiscal year 2010, beginning October 2009, the US appropriated USD 1.515 billion worth of civilian assistance to Pakistan, that came down to USD 1.086 billion in 2011; which dropped to USD 944.5 million in 2012; USD 791 million in 2013 and further to USD 648 million in the current fiscal of 2014.

However, the actual amount spent was much less.

In the five years (2009-2014) of the Kerry-Lugar-Berman Bill, the actual US civilian assistance to Pakistan was USD 4.1 billion. This includes roughly USD 1 billion of humanitarian assistance following the floods of 2010.

The remaining portions of the Bill will be spent after 2014.

The Obama Administration, however, is expected to continue its long-term commitment to Pakistan which would be reflected in the continuation of civilian aid, albeit much less than it is currently now.

http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/us-unlikely-to-renew-aid-to-pak-under-kerry-lugar-berman-bill-114042300402_1.html

[Da Bannu Mazdigar]

This is a Good news.

we need The pakistan army also to stop pro american influence in Pakistan,Which ofcourse they will do if the aid is withheld

[Shah-i-Kot]

This is a Good news.

we need The pakistan army also to stop pro american influence in Pakistan,Which ofcourse they will do if the aid is withheld

Have you heard of reports of Pakistani airforce/army sex parties? What do you think of this, is it just a rumor? Alcohol consumption in the military has been the norm for past several decades. It would not be suprising if this is true.

[Shah-i-Kot]

I think some media outlets were about to issue a report on this finding.

[Da Bannu Mazdigar]

Have you heard of reports of Pakistani airforce/army sex parties? What do you think of this, is it just a rumor? Alcohol consumption in the military has been the norm for past several decades. It would not be suprising if this is true.

Alcohol consumption is very common throughout Pakistan.army officer are liberal and they don't care about religion.So i am sure they must be having alcohol parties though probably only among the officers.

Yahya khan used to drink in Public aswell

[afghan]

one way or another a professional beggar find his way, pakistan isn't an exclusion.

[Shah-i-Kot]

Alcohol consumption is very common throughout Pakistan.army officer are liberal and they don't care about religion.So i am sure they must be having alcohol parties though probably only among the officers.

Yahya khan used to drink in Public aswell

What about the issue of Pakistan military officers engaging in sex parties? Yes, drinking has been going on in Pakistan. Jinnah drank and ate pork. Documentation of Pak army sex parties would be setting a precedent- something that cant be shrugged off or brushed aside.

The Pakistan army has little concern about their public image in regards to conflict in Balochistan, FATA, and Afghanistan as it is common knowledge (disappearances, drone strikes, etc). Many media sources have already covered those topics without protest from Pak military establishment.

[Shah-i-Kot]

The fact that Pakistan army is trying to shut down Geo Tv is indicative of a report that is very damaging. If my assessment is right, then the report will be released one way or another, and I think it concerns high level officers. Hamid Mir like any journalist would be backing his data on multiple hard drives and across countries.

[Da Bannu Mazdigar]

What about the issue of Pakistan military officers engaging in sex parties? Yes, drinking has been going on in Pakistan. Jinnah drank and ate pork. Documentation of Pak army sex parties would be setting a precedent- something that cant be shrugged off or brushed aside.

The Pakistan army has little concern about their public image in regards to conflict in Balochistan, FATA, and Afghanistan as it is common knowledge (disappearances, drone strikes, etc). Many media sources have already covered those topics without protest from Pak military establishment.

Well it should not concern anyone if they are engaged in sex parties or whatever,Since military around the world are similar or even worse.as long as they are upto their capabilities

Last year i had the privilege to talk to peacewalker(member of worldaffairboard) who is a Retired officer from US navy.He has trained troops around the world and has alot of respect in the various defence forums,As per him the indian and Pakistani naval troops are more trained than even china and japan.He said in the 2006 gulf naval exercises,the pakistani troops training capability were better than any some of the european countries troops and can be compared with french and german troops training.

Than in cambrian patrol Exercise in 2010,Pakistan recieved Gold medal beating major world armies(American,British,Indian,japanese,German,Fre nch and many more to mention)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B64cq2foWrQ

So i don't know why should people be concerned about they either involved in sex parties or drinking when the thing of matter should only be their capabilities and nothing else.

When i was young i though Drinking is never done in Pakistan but now i have realized that drinking is even done in waziristan let alone the rest of Pakistan.

[Da Bannu Mazdigar]

The fact that Pakistan army is trying to shut down Geo Tv is indicative of a report that is very damaging. If my assessment is right, then the report will be released one way or another, and I think it concerns high level officers. Hamid Mir like any journalist would be backing his data on multiple hard drives and across countries.

Well PA today is probably weakest in its history in Pakistan.They have never been so helpless as they are today.

I am happy with this,PA dominance in Pakistan politics need to be decreased so that PA only remain under the Govt of Pakistan.