US freeze on Pakistan aid unwise: Salim Saifullah
"I don't think this is a wise move. It could hurt ties. There should instead be efforts to increase cooperation. I don't see any good coming out of this," Salim Saifullah, chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee, told Reuters.
The leaders of a US House-Senate negotiating panel have agreed to freeze $700 million in US aid to Pakistan until it offers to help in the fight against improvised explosive devices in the region, exerting more pressure on a troubled strategic ally.
Pakistan is one of the largest recipients of US foreign aid, and the cutback announced is only a small proportion of the billions in civil and military assistance it gets a year.
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COMMENTS (96)
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@Cautious: Perhaps you need to ask yourself why you Indians have over 500 000 troops in occupied Kashmir terrorizing Kashmiris.
@Rosie Deus-von Homeyer: Many Pakistanis get their food by gorging on dead bodies they dig out of graves. This is a fact and was published in leading mainstream Pakistani newspapers not too long ago
@MarkH: So you think Mark. We don't need your blood money - we'll eat grass if we have to. And Pak has plenty of real friends and resources don't worry which is you are after. Whats your "strategic interest" with us?? lols - None of the hijackers on 9/11 were from Pak - you chased bin Laden out of Afghanistan into our country. You can't even seal the mexican border and you expect us to seal a rough terrain border with Afghanistan and on top of that attack our soldiers for 2 hours??? Get lost..
@maestro: No, it's called having a lot of resources Pakistan doesn't. If you put Pakistan into Iran's current setting in the same locations, Pakistan will even run out of grass to eat.
It is there money and they are fully entitled to put any conditions.
@Pakistani: You're lucky the moderators have a soft spot for the mentally challenged.
Maybe now pakistanis will start paying taxes
@ayesha: This is called mismanagement of public resources Ayesha. The ONLY problem Pak has had so far has been its corrupt "leadership" which Imran Khan is on his way to boot out. After living abroad for 19 years on 4 continents and coming back, I am amazed at the talent here - and the natural resources we have - its just a matter of time before someone with guts comes into power and turns this country around without "aid".
@Pundit: India - lols - once you get back stabbed by the US which you will! hahahaa
@Ashraf P: We have plenty of resources and talent. People start paying taxes, invest in our copper, gold and Thar coal to begin with along with IT and this nation is ready for take off. Iran has been under sanctions for over 20 years and their GDP/capita is higher than India and Pakistan's combined. Its called self reliance.
@AN: Mr AN. I'm sure you're an Indian troll here. Pakistan doesnot need aid anymore. Imran Khan is coming and he is going to collect taxes from the rich - that alone will bypass any "aid" by at least quadruple times. Cheers ;-)
@VINOD: @RM: Pakistan has enough resources and talent on its own to stand on its feet. Every Pakistani is saying we don't want "aid" anymore. You want to trade with us - by all means you're welcome - but no more blood for aid.. And for the record, over the $1.75 billion per year alloted to us via the Kerry-Lugar bill, we have only received about $500 million at the cost of 40,000 lives and loss of $70 billion in our GDP. The US AID makes up less than 0.2% of our GDP. We have real friends who are willing to trade and invest with us my Indian friends. No more aid - we don't need it and the Army chief has said it himself. Google it. ;-) lolls
@Maryam: LOLSSS - Maryam or whoever you are - I have not yet gone to a single demo against RGST or anything. Amazingly propaganda nonsense from you - how do you know what I look like - would you like me to send you a pic of me so you can get your faltering eyesight straight?? LOLLSS -
good news that america is cancelling aid, maybe the masses than can actually go on do something productive rather than BEGGING america for aid, and all of the western world should adopt this policy,!!!!!!!!
@Pakistani: It's a funny thing. Growing up I never considered us a super power. I only saw/heard outside countries give the label. Whether you bestow the pleasure of the title or take it away is meaningless. It doesn't have enough weight to change a thing. No actions have ever been taken for the sake of receiving your jealousy. We'll do what we feel is the right thing to do, just as we always have whether it's there or not. But, just saying it enough times doesn't magically make us weak. The sooner you realize that the better off you'll be. Its how you deal with everything. You make big claims but whenever it comes time to put your money where your mouth is, you hide behind one excuse or another that also isn't very good and still relies on the "say it enough times and it'll become true" dream. Have some shame and cover up, your inferiority complex is showing.
@Malatesh: There will never be an apology.
So USA now has to learn wisdom from Pakistani politicians and ISI ?
@Pragmatist: Americans and generosity are two opposite things, they even don't give charity if they don't see any profit they can get out it. It is enough, now Pakistanis should learn not to be used actually misused by US.
AMRICA is no longer a super power...lol..poor Americans..
There should instead be efforts to increase cooperation Saifullah says....
Sounds like an effort to increase cooperation to me. Pakistan is not cooperating with efforts to stem the flow of explosive precursors throughout South Asia, and by holding back this money, the US hopes Pakistan will begin cooperation. Why not? Every other key decision is based on money and corruption. Kyoo Nehee?
the said aid has tied every pakistani.Let they work hard and hard,throw costly soots and quit VIP life/living style.Cut expenditure...............
@Jaz: "Maestro has summed it very well. You are wroing my friend Ashraf. Overseas Pakistanis are sending 12bn dollar remittances and what’s less than 1bn dollar in comparison to that"
The remittances do help the overall foreign exchange reserves. But they are property of individual Pakistanis. They cannot be used by the government for importing fertilisers or oil or to pay for reparing Pak Railways locomotives or PIA planes that cannot fly due to lack of .spare parts. It cannot be used to pay the pensions. These are the types of things the government has had trouble doing.
@Raheel: It's not biological weapons. It's the incest.
"I don’t think this is a wise move. It could hurt ties."
The ties are already in a bad shape. I am not saying Pakistan was not justified but the actions in the last couple of weeks and the non-stop TV discussion about th eMohman incident has already hurt ties.
I don't think it will hurt Pakistan. The good Lord will take care of them. The land of pure has resources. One is there friend China. China as they say is Pakistan's eternal friend. Higher then Himallayas , deeper then Ocean etc.. Why should Pakistan care. One can see China is nearer physicaly and as their economy is bursting with money why not ask your friend now.More over Chinese are number one in helping giving aid to other countries.Pakistan should ask Saudi's thier oil money. List keep going on and on. If I was Pakistani I would not ask Americans to help me I would rather go to my friends who can help infact who has stashed billion of dollars.
Senator Saifullah, we Pakistanis became victim of "tit for tat" game.Your own party has joined the anti-American chorus and at the same time criticizing the US Congress for is action. Our Ambassadors in their meeting asked that our policies be based on realism not emotion. Please listen to them. It is time for sanity to prevail. Those who say we can live without foreign aid, ask yourselves "are we paying our fair share in taxes". Check our 2011-12 federal budget and see how dependent we are on external aid even for current poor living condition.
@Blunt!: US is printing money (bogus worthless currency without precious metals reserves); I suppose Pakistan should start doing so to survive economically.
@Pundit: 2013 India
@Ashraf P: Maestro has summed it very well. You are wroing my friend Ashraf. Overseas Pakistanis are sending 12bn dollar remittances and what's less than 1bn dollar in comparison to that. The US and it's other allies have astrocised Iran for the last 32 years. Look what that has done to that nation; they not only survived but confront and compete Americans in every sphere of life. Long Live Pakistan and Long Live Iran.
If this was a spending money for Casino, then everyone should rejoice, but if its a military aid which is very crucial for our brave soldiers then only enemies of Pakistan would be rejoicing. I don't think anyone in authority is wise enough to arrange for alternatives. Damage done to our army would be felt for years.
Its good news. Its better to be self reliant, than to be dependent on others.
Till Now all the US defence aid has been used to procure weapons against India. So what now??
I just don't understand the bravado of most of the comments here. The fact is, we are doomed without foreign aid. And we are totally lost if the US were to ever lose patience with Pakistan and impose complete economic sanctions. Can anybody answer the simple question: What wrong is the US asking if it wants Pakistan to clamp down on cross-border smuggling of explosive materials? Why are we still so hung up on "strategic depth" and continuing to interfere in Afghanistan instead of building our own economy? Radicalization of our society is worse for us than it is for our neighbours. Chest-thumping, false pride and childish arguments like "without US aid we will stand on our own feet" etc won't create jobs or put food on the plate. False bravado has always led Pakistan to ruin and disaster ('71 for example) and this time would be no exception.
One wonders why the USA has to pay you in order for you to close down bomb factories for terrorist?
This $700 mill. is nothing, the US is giving Pakistan 10s of billions every year, to support it's military so that your nuclear weapons don't fall into the hands of extremists - because you all know what will happen then - India will annihilate you Pakistan... Grow up and smell the reality!
One can not live on borrowed money forever.Pakistan has to move towards self sufficiency fast and really fast.Government must play it's role by arresting corruption,wastage and ensuring people pay tax.Days ahead are gloomy.Come out of the comfort of oxygen Tent Pakistan and it's people.
@AN: Attacking military post of a sovereign country wasn't a wise decision either.who will pay the price only time could decide. Afghanistan would be a slaughter house for NATO and isaf after that
@ AN
Please change your ideas and behave like a brave person. This aid or help or donation is increasing year after year. Till when a person should accept such help. In 1948 when India and Pakistan separated my grandfather and father migrated from Mintgomery area. At that time there was no money for food. Whatsoever was there was left behind with a muslim friend and was collected later on. But by hard working now a days our family is well to do.
In 1992 at the time of Iraq war India was having only foreign currency reserves for 6/7 days and was at the brink of collapse but now India has amassed huge reserves of foreign exchange.
Please believe in hard working, honesty (likewise our family muslim friend returned our money) and own earned food. God/Allah would help those who help themselves.
@Rosie Deus-von Homeyer: Unfortunately, they don't put their money where their mouth is. Americans are yet the most generous.
The truth is your military set up this crisis by attacking the Afgans and luring our heliocopters into attacking your own troops. I truly look forward to your admitting the truth. So you succeeded in kicking us out...so now you don't need our money. We're broke anyway. Unless you want us back, please take good care of your nukes.
@Ashraf P:
Such an arrogance!
WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT PAKISTAN's economy?!
It might not be as developed as the German economy,bur EXCUSE me...you can not compaire it with Somalia's economy.
My son just finished his education at New York University and all clothing he bought from the NYU's shops,is manifactured in Pakistan.
Pakistan has a texite industry,well known in Germany...many times I buy at H&M jackets "Made in Pakistan".
Plenty of German telecommunication companies are also doing business in Pak.
ertainly it has well developed food industry...finally where the 164 mil.Pakistani are getting their groceries.
@maestro:
Hey,Pakistani,there are PLENTY of otherinvestors in this world,willing to lend you money!
Just turn to the UAE or Qatar.
Why should the USA have to pay you to stop facilitating bomb making by terrorist on Pakistani soil -- something no responsible country would permit. It's bad enough you provide sanctuary to terrorist but allowing bomb making factories and diverting your precious fertilizer to make explosives is something only a failed state would permit.
2011: Greece 2012: Pakistan 2013: ?
In the end it will all be about the economy.
Without US Dollars filling the gap it is likely our economy will go from bad to worse. Expect inflation to go up, food, petrol and electricity prices to take a steep hike. Poverty will unfortunately increase even further and as a consequence so will crime and social disorder.
Kayani said 'honour before prosperity', but unlike for the affluent the desperately poor, who may face near starvation in the future, it will a big price to pay.
This is pressure tactics being applied. Pakistan surely has the upper hand in this game in the short-term. Can it stretch this leverage enough so that the long-term advantage of the US nullifies is something to be seen ? US surely is in trouble as the other route through central asia is also quite volatile give its relations with Russia.
In my opinion if US has to save its face it will have to reach out to Iran. It just cannot do anything to Pakistan in the short-term. On the other hand if US would find some way out of this mess, Pakistan will have a very hard time in the future.
@Karim Javed: politicians will prefer leaving country than bringing in money from swiss bank.
Being Pakistani I am very happy for the freezing of this aid. they will give money to our corrupt politicians and then will kill innocent people by using drone where many families lost there kids and the worse thing is US is using biological bombs in these drones which is effecting the whole population. US is not a member of any human rights treaty nor on any child protection. therefore i don't trust them especially after eye witnessing there acts in Afghanistan and North of Pakistan. US is a deception and we should be careful to make these bunch of cowboys friends.
This is the best news one could expect. Now Pakistan should start to implement Tax Schemes on NATO supplies to Afghanistan. If this had been done from day one, Pakistan would have had more revenue from Tax Schemes than the so called aid given (less than alwauys promised).
@V K Bajaj (Delhi): Ofcourse earned food. however a child who cannot stand on his/her own two feet cant even beg nor earn. Cooperating with USA, while being an honest friend to neighbours will ensure all help in times of need. Being poor, troublesome and arrogant is a recipe for disaster .
@AN I agree with you 100%. Tomorrows headlines will be
1."Pakistan allows conditional drone strikes"
2."Shamsi airbase given back to NATO after US apology for killing 24 solders and more aid has been promised by US"
3....
@V K Bajaj: Yes I agree. The moment this aid is stopped Pakistan with its dignity must refuse to accept even a dollar in any form of help/donation/loan or aid.Those who help themselves God helps them.
@maestro: Let US totally retract from Pakistan then you will know the reality. How will payments be made for all govt. servants and military. What will happen to the huge interests you have to pay to various institutions of the world. And finally from where will you buy defence equipment? Wake up it is not so simple.
"What else can one expect with the Pak arrogance of closing a airbase and NATO supplies? Pakistan acted unwisely and will now pay a price."
Umad? Ever noticed Nato troops(all of em from US) just killed 24 Pakistan soldiers?
@V K Bajaj (Delhi): wow...that was the line i looking for....!
@AN: Its not us who will pay the price, its the US which must pay the price. we didnt spent trillions on afghan and iraq, its the US which spent trillions of dollars and now want to run as they did in vietnam...ofcourse our econmy will suffer but for the long run it would be a wise decision for pakistan if it stick to that for which i hope.....
According to a previous post by a Pakistani; “Pakistan has enough money to buy US three times over” so, why worry?
You don’t need the money, you are rich.
The only ones to be disappointed by americas move to freeze 700 million USD is the corrupt establishment, that would only use a minor fraction of the aid on the awaam.
When America cannot guarantee that attacks similar to the last one will not occur in future (which their own forces carried out). How can Pakistan guarantee that so called Taliban will not operate from inside Pakistan. If they can't assure to control their armed force, how can we assure to control some militant group.
Unwise?? You can bill them for services that business not unwise business
@AN: is it arrogance? and when it was not responding you people were calling pakistan a coward state.decide first what do you wand
Recover Pakistan's money from suiz bank we will never need their aid :P
Bye Bye America , Hello taxes
It was matter of time and I guess Pakistani authorities both Army and the Govt knew that it was coming even if the border clash incident wouldn't had occurred, it was always in the line. Take this as positive and stand up on your own feet like in 90's when we some how were surviving. This aid bribe is killing Pakistan more then anything else where we were slowly dying without any dignity. At least now we can have some of our dignity back and perhaps a will which was totally missing or remotely controlled by US.
And we don/t want any Visas to US either! China will take care of us!
@ABC:
Pakistanis are indeed so very emotional and therefore become delusional. No one can match a 14 trillion dollar USA. By the way, Pakistans GDP is one third of walmart. and irans is two thirds. Pakistan can do without aid, provided it drastically changes its policies. Please read the Column by AVM Shazad Chaudhry in this paper today. he has well analysed the policy framework that pakistan needs urgently. One can understand Pakistan being very hurt. However nobody in this global world cares two hoots for emotions/hurts. China has not once offered any aid and money. Only empty platitudes.
@maestro: You don't want a dime of US money, you don't have a dime of your own money. Add the two together and that is how long the economy will hold up for. This bravado would be nice if Pakistan had an economy like China's. Unfortunately, it is making noises like China while having the economy of Somalia.
@ AN - you are totally wrong.
So far all comments, except yours, say and think on one and correct line.
Would you like to eat begged food or own earned one?
Wise decision in favour of Pakistan - in the long run.
Probably a bit excessive move by the US for now, not going to bear any positive outcome.
Pakistan will do better without american aid. This aid which america gave to Pakistan is not aid, it is actually AIDS.
No to Aid!
@Maestro:
"we Pakistanis dont want a dime of your “aid” at the expense of our blood. We’ll stand on our own feet"
" and US – you actually owe us $70 billion in economic loss for fighting your “war”".
Aren't the two statements contradictory? Haven't you been taking billion of 'dimes' in return of sacrificing your soldiers? Haven't the military and civilian leaders been selling blood in return of filling their own coffers with 'aid' money?
It's a blessing in disguise. Rejoice!
Simple HUKA PANI BAND policy to increase the pressure. The beast is getting frustrated!!!
Whether to gain it through politically or whatever, i am glad at least our so called leadership has taken a stand, other wise our forces let us down as what happened with our soldiers who were martyred by NATO bombing and our fighters didnt come to their rescue though they could come around in no time.
It was the US that pressurized PAK on OBL issue Then came the turn of Pak to pressurize US on 24 solders Now it is the turn of US to pressurize PAK again Pak seems to have no other weapon / options to pressurize the US Time to watch!
When people get everything on a dish, people dont work hard. When people are deprive of something, then people go out and strive to get things.
Now I wish, with no aid, Pakistani nation come out and work hard to see a prosperous Pakistan.
@maestro: I saw you in the demonstration against Government when you were participating with other Pakistanis in a demonstration against the implementation of RGST and new taxes by the current government. I also saw you in the other demonstration where you were holding a placard "No Price Hike in Petrol, Electricity and Gas". Either you pay your own taxes or you receive American Aid. You don't have any other option.
On the contrary, it is a very wise move and mutually beneficial too. Bye bye, America, and good riddance.
Pakistan should maintain its current course and adopt “Tit for Tat strategy. Instead of begging US or China (as sarcastically suggested by some readers), compensate the losses with transit and any other possible fees on transit trade to Afghanistan and supplies to its masters, US and NATO. I am sure it would more than compensate the loss of the handouts with strings attached.
It must prove a blessing in disguise.
Own sourced funds are better than 'borrowed or donation or help or aid funds'.
People and Govt of Pakistan must not give any serious attention toward this news. In my opinion the developing or underdeveloped countries need less 'financial assistance' but the developed countries are needed badly to provide assistance. If the developing countries do not provide such help their own growth gets slow down.
Be brave and ignore this news for a stronger and better Pak.
"“I don’t think this is a wise move. It could hurt ties."
You mean there is scope for ties to get hurt?
Or is it that the Haqqani Bros are complaining?
Its not an "unwise" decision! Its a very wise decision - we Pakistanis dont want a dime of your "aid" at the expense of our blood. We'll stand on our own feet - and US - you actually owe us $70 billion in economic loss for fighting your "war" let alone the blood of over 40,000 civilians and soldiers.. You are no longer a "super power" and your economy is in tatters with 40% of americans now below the poverty line! Where Harvard grads can't get a job these days. Your days of hegemony and "ruling" the world are over - this is Asia's century and you're not welcome Uncle Sam...
What else can one expect with the Pak arrogance of closing a airbase and NATO supplies? Pakistan acted unwisely and will now pay a price.