US proposes $860 million in aid for Pakistan

While there was no mention of Pakistan in President Obama’s budgetary proposals, secretary of state John Kerry in his proposals said the budget includes USD 859.8 million towards sustaining ties with Pakistan and making progress to “disrupt, dismantle and defeat violent extremist groups”. 

“Pakistan lies at the heart of the US counter-terrorism strategy, the peace process in Afghanistan, nuclear nonproliferation efforts, and economic integration in South and Central Asia,” the state department said making its case for the aid to Pakistan under the overseas contingency operations (OCO) fund. For Pakistan, the OCO request supports a robust diplomatic presence and critical assistance programmes to advance cooperation and reforms in energy, economic growth, and agriculture, education, health, and stabilisation of areas vulnerable to violent extremism, it said. 

This includes supporting the government and its people, while maintaining diplomacy and outreach in the face of challenging political and security conditions, it said.

Proposing USD 265 million under foreign military funding (FMF)— which mainly means providing military hardware, the state department said given the transition in Afghanistan and continued terrorist attacks inside Pakistan, it is essential to Pakistan’s efforts to increase stability on its western border and within the country. 

In his annual budget sent to the Congress for the 2016-2017 fiscal year beginning October 1, 2016, secretary of State John Kerry proposed a USD 64 million for Nepal in economic support fund (ESF) as against just actual 14.5 million in 2015. Resources will also be used to increase agricultural productivity and promote changes in nutrition habits in order to lower the poverty rate and increase food security, it said. 

The US government has proposed a $31 million financial aid to Sri Lanka to encourage reconciliation efforts and support anti-corruption activities as the Island nation is undertaking major reforms after the historic political transition. 

In fiscal 2017, US assistance will be used to strengthen governance, democratic reform, and the rule of law by promoting and protecting human rights, strengthening justice sector institutions, and supporting civil society organisations, the State Department said.