Washington (TDI): The United States has suspended aid to Pakistan, leading to the temporary halt of several major projects as they await a review to be conducted by officials.
This decision, which comes days after President Donald Trump ordered a pause to review if assistance allocation was aligned with his foreign policy, impacts eleven governance programmes in Pakistan, along with projects under the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP).
This move follows a “stop-work” order by the US State Department on Friday for all existing foreign aid and paused new assistance.
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The order, drafted by the State Department’s foreign assistance office and approved by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, noted waivers were issued for military financing for two Middle Eastern nations, including Egypt.
No other nations were mentioned in the cable.
Moreover, the decision impacts different sectors in Pakistan, including 5 projects in energy, 4 related to economic growth, 5 in agriculture, 4 in education, and 4 in health.
Additionally, funds related to human rights, democracy, and governance have also been temporarily halted as a result of the latest US decision.
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The pause in assistance risks cutting off billions of dollars of life-saving aid as the US is the largest single donor of aid internationally — in fiscal year 2023, it disbursed $72 billion in aid.
US officials will decide whether to continue the aid programmes after a review.