Report: US Should Delay Aid to Pakistan (VOA)
CGD's new report on aid to Pakistan was mentioned in a VOA article.
From the Article
A new report by a U.S. research center says the United States should hold back much of its $7.5 billion Pakistan aid package until Pakistan adopts reforms.
The report by the Washington-based Center for Global Development says the caution is most advisable in sectors where the U.S. has committed to disbursing its aid funding primarily through government channels.
The study acknowledged that setting conditions for assistance is an “extremely sensitive subject,” but said delaying disbursement in certain sectors will benefit both the Pakistani reform process and the aid's ultimate effectiveness.
The Center for Global Development said spending the money now would provide only temporary fixes that make it easier for Pakistani officials to put off tough decisions.
The report also calls for a greater focus on trade, urging the U.S. government to offer duty-free access to U.S. markets for all Pakistani exports for at least the next five years.