By APP,
Washington : The United States has renewed its commitment to economic development of Pakistan amid growing Congressional calls for a comprehensive approach to curbing terrorism along Pakistan-Afghan border region.
“We are committed to secure economic development in Pakistan. We hope that the funding will assist Pakistani civilians in strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law, and in reinforcing the foundation of a free society,” a State Department official told APP.
The official was referring to continuing aid programs with Pakistan and five-year $ 750 million economic development assistance for the federally administered tribal areas.
As suggested by leaders of both parties, the US is likely to significantly enhance its economic assistance for Pakistan in the coming years as Congressional leaders see support for South Asian country’s democratic progress critical to the US interests.
“There is bipartisan support for appreciation and recognition of Pakistan’s democratic progress and there is a great deal of optimism from the civilian government,” says K Alan Kronstadt, a noted researcher who regularly authors reports for Congress on South Asian affairs.
Congresswoman Sheila Jacknson Lee, who co-chairs the Congressional Pakistani Caucus, voiced her confidence in the new government’s commitment to bring justice and economic prosperity to the people.
“I have faith in the new government that it will work for development of its people, bring social services, economic development, work for an independent judicial system, human rights and restore dignity of lawyers community,” she said.
The Capitol Hill increasingly sees the highly expensive Iraq war as distraction in the US fight against terrorism on the one hand, and on the other says deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan needs to be addressed through a comprehensive plan and economic development of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border regions.
“A stable, democratic, prosperous Pakistan working to counter militancy is considered vital to US interests,” Congressional experts say.
A report by the Government Accountability Office this week also amplifyied calls for an integrated approach to addressing the problem of violent extremism in the region.
Senator Joseph Biden, chairman of the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who witnessed Pakistan’s landmark election on February 18, 2008, has been leading emphatic calls for a three-fold economic assistance for the country. His proposal envisages $ 1.5 billion assistance each year for socio-economic development of the country, taking the total five-year assistance to $ 7 billion.
Senator Biden has also pledged $ one billion as democracy dividend for Pakistan in recognition of its democratic advancement and encouragement for it consistently following the democratic pathway.
Meanwhile, sources have indicated that progress on a requisite Congressional legislation in this respect is expected shortly and a draft bill is likely to be introduced in the coming few months.
The Bush Administration has been extending economic assistance to Pakistan under a five-year three-billion dollars assistance agreement, which concludes October next year.