Despite the periodic hiccups in relations with Pakistan, the Obama administration has proposed yet another big aid package of $860 million to that country as part of President Barack Obama’s last budget.
The proposed allocation, however, is subject to approval by the Republican-controlled US Congress. Hours after Obama sent his overall $4.1 trillion budget proposals to the Congress, the State Department outlined the foreign aid component, including Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) in a detailed fact-sheet.
On the proposed Pakistan package, the State Department said the Budget“provides $859.8 million towards sustaining cooperative relationships with Pakistan and making progress to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-Qaida and its extremist allies”.
“The requested funding will support the country’s counter-insurgency missions, and bolster stability, energy access, economic growth, and social reform,” Secretary of State John Kerry said in a letter accompanying the proposals.
Making the case for continued assistance to Pakistan under OCO, the State Department said: “Pakistan lies at the heart of the US counter-terrorism strategy, the peace process in Afghanistan, nuclear non-proliferation efforts, and economic integration in South and Central Asia.”
It said the OCO resources will support critical US activities such as ensuring the safety of Pakistani nuclear installations, working with Pakistan to facilitate the peace process in Afghanistan, and promoting improved relations with India.
It also speaks of 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.