Type: Parliament Questions and Answers

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Government is aware that the United States has provided/is providing about one billion dollars as aid to Pakistan in the year 2013;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government in this regard;

(c) whether any assurance has been given to India by US that the said assistance would not be utilized by Pakistan for anti-India activities; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the steps contemplated by the Government in this regard?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI SALMAN KHURSHID)

(a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 595 REGARDING “US AID TO PAKISTAN” TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.05.2013

(a) & (b) The US Administration had sought funding assistance of USD 2.2 billion to Pakistan for Fiscal Year 2013, comprising USD 0.9 billion in economic assistance and USD 1.3 billion in security assistance. The economic assistance focuses on five key areas: energy, stabilization, social services (especially health and education), economic growth (including agriculture), and improving governance, including transparency and gender equality. The security assistance focuses on building counterinsurgency and counterterrorism capabilities, strengthening military-to- military cooperation, and addressing the long-term modernization needs of the Pakistan military.

The US Congress approved the request in a new legislation on 21 March 2013, signed by the President on 26 March 2013 (P.L. 113-6), to fund federal programs through the end of FY2013. The House legislation did not specify an aid level for Pakistan, and prohibited all economic and security assistance if Pakistan is uncooperative in anti-terrorism and other efforts. The Senate bill included USD 842.3 million in foreign operations funds for Pakistan, including USD 50 million for the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund and continued existing aid restrictions. The Senate bill also included new conditions on aid to Pakistan, including withholding USD 33 million in Foreign Military Financing to Pakistan until the Secretary of State certifies that Dr. Shakil Afridi is released from prison and cleared of all charges related to providing assistance to the United States in locating Osama bin Laden.

The Government has consistently drawn the attention of the United States to the need for proper benchmarks and accountability to prevent the diversion of security assistance provided to Pakistan for use in its military buildup against India. Government has also sensitized the U.S. Government in interactions at all levels, about the need for constant vigilance as also close monitoring of such assistance being provided.

(c) & (d) The United States has conveyed that it has put in place effective oversight and End-Use Monitoring mechanisms to ensure that its security assistance to Pakistan is used solely for counter terrorism-related purposes.

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Pakistan
South Asia