U.S. President Barack Obama has proposed $3.2 billion in assistance to Pakistan in the fiscal 2011, a substantial jump in American aid.
Noting that Pakistan is a key country in the war against extremism, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Jacob Lew said the budget focused on improving basic infrastructure.
“This is key to improving stability and will also provide the military the tools needed to wage an effective counterterrorist campaign. For fiscal 2011, funding for Pakistan is $3.2 billion,” he said, adding that in 2010 it had been $1.88 billion.
“For Pakistan, the budget also increases security assistance and funds a new signature energy project,” said the White House in a fact sheet, adding the budget expands the number of civilian personnel in Afghanistan and Pakistan to build government capacity, increase diplomatic engagement, manage expanded assistance programmes, and reduce the potential for fraud and misuse of American funding.
Mr. Obama has proposed $1.2 billion for the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund as against $700 million in 2009.
