I suggest that those giving us money should refrain from giving cash, rather they should each take on a project in Pakistan and have it done themselves. The moment the money comes in the country, it won’t be seen again–except in shape on rebuilding some roads with cheap material that would get damaged in next rain.

So, the donators should take the responsibility of restructuring Pakistan by implementing development projects themselves, and not giving us cash.

As for the funds that are already here, the government–though impossible–should realise that they are playing with the lives of people. They already are multi billionaires and should spare some for the country.We can’t do much in this sense besides praying that Allah puts mercy in their hearts. The government is fighting over petty issues of the power and ignoring the broad picture.The soon we realise the better before we again become slaves to others–then I am sure all these people would leave the Pakistan leaving innocent people to the miseries.

The best way to spend non military aid? First and foremost build a clean, efficient, punctual, fragrant, air conditioned and subsidized mass transit system, overhead or underground, in all the major cities of Pakistan. Every morning and evening we see millions of commuters packed like sardines in hot, stuffy and smelly buses going to and coming from their places of work. How can we expect these workers to be in the right frame of mind when they arrive at their place of work or for that matter at their place of learning or when returning home after a day of sweaty labor? .I believe that building these MTS’ will generate more goodwill than all the aid or dole outs we have received in the last 60 years. Moreover, we can expect productivity to increase manifold in all spheres not to mention the self respect restored to all who go through this daily ordeal.

Aha, good question! May sound pessimistic, but this is how it will be used: 50% will never land in Pakistan. 40 % corrupt officials and politicians. 10% cosmetic projects to gain cheap popularity.

It goes without saying that any transfer of funds given to a country is given on specifics. The funds transferred have to be audited and accounted for. Why are the donor agencies not following up once the funds are transferred? In a totally corrupt country it is understood that development and growth will hardly be seen as the funds do not reach the purpose for what it was given in the first place. Pakistan is well known for its ever growing hunger for aid. To convince the donor nations, India and Afghanistan are vehemently portrayed as the sole reasons for their present predicament. Pakistan has to be kept under close watch not only in terms of aid flowing inwards, they have to be closely watched for the growth of terrorism at a logarithmic rate. Their nuclear assets may be within the reach of Taliban any moment now. An Iron hand approach by every sane country should be immediatly exercised.

It is an offensive question: How should we spend the money we have begged ? Is there no sense of shame anymore ?

How about how do we become self-reliant and not beg for money ?

I have a question:
Why does Pakistan require aid?

I’m not sure if receiving money for defense spending is cost effective if you are only allowed to use that money for operations against Pakistani or Afghani citizens. Do you need F-16’s and guided missles to fight young Pathaan men, how effective has that been? When these equipment were used against India, how effective were we?

Pakistan requires investment in infrastructure for public health/housing (sanitation, vaccinations, medicines, hospitals, housing projects, worker training programs) education (technological, artistic, AND islamic)

Pakistan should not require any food aid, it is not logical given the amount of land reserved for crops, grave inefficiencies here.

The Pakistani government should play a greater Islamic role in its citizens lives, because that is what they demand, otherwise they may unfortunately have to deal with impending vigilantism, and chaos in its big cities. For those who espouse the poverty vs Islam arguments
Why should this lifestyle be mutually exclusive of public parks, libraries, affordable entertainment, and intermingling of social classes? The government can do more to improve both areas of life, and that would be possible if the silent majority (perhaps not in Lahore) were empowered to elect Islamically like minded politicians (assuming democracy would work in a country where its citizens care more about subethnicities rather than any sense of national unity, and where the dominant language used by the government (English) is not what is spoken by the populace (Urdu, and more etc). I’ll be honest i have a pro-Islamic bias, but I feel that I have explained my argument from a neutral perspective.

Pakistan may have to consider coming in to agreement with Afghanistan, either liberating NWFP or repatriating it to Afghanistan (if you are concerned about illegal cross border movement). Pakistan has to figure how to get off the “chessboard”.

Pakistan should attempt to enforce the land reform laws that are already on its books to limit the disproportionate amount of power hereditary landowners possess. How can we limit the amount of undue influence politicians amass in terms of wealth (some officially given ie cars, residences, exorbitant salaries, and some thru bribes)

For 60 years Pakistanis still are lacking, relative to what they need, a sense of national unity, and still flock to parties that only represent ethnic subtypes, or that support politicians in a personality-cult like manner.

Pakistan has to invest fairly into each of its provinces or deal with potential (or existing) nationalist movements in virtually all of its provinces

As a pro Islamic, pro Pakistani, second generation Pakistani-American that supports the two nation theory, I will try to convince my government (US) to leave Pakistan alone, what will you do?

Don’t just blame Zia (although he is partially guility): America and Russia are to blame, but why did we have to take sides? (the prophet saws did not chose between the persians, or the byzantines, rather they both declined over time)

And finally, this is not the pakistan of bhutto, it is the pakistan of quaid e azam and philosophers of the like of iqbal

How about some independence?

Not a single penny should find its way into the parasitic hands of Govt and Army and Mullahs. Now is the time to reduce the role of Mullahs by not listening to them.

How would you spend non military aid?

Such a stupid question, how have all the past military aids or non military aids been spent? who spent it all? where was it spent? actually how much of other countries hard earned tax payers money was spent? was it really passed on or distributed among givers and takers?? But most important question is,, Did the past aids help reduce the poverty,illiteracy,helplessness of the masses or it helped our previous rulers and their friends in pakistan and out of pakistan? And what guarantee do we have that this aid injected in pakistan’s failing economy not misused by establishment of the country?? If you are unable to answer half of these questions i seek, then i think you better inject this dose of aid somewhere its as badly needed as pakistan but well used.

Hi,

I have a simple solution.

When we are not sure of how to spend why don’t we ask the USA to select an US Based NGO and monitor the NGO. We can be 100% sure that every dollar goes where it should go.

IT is clean and we will have no mess handling the toxic waste called aid money.

This way, we can be very sure that we will have no guilt feeling of having to live on the dole amount because we do not directly handle the money. Also the NGO have better track record of delivering the goods.

All will be happy except the discredited army, politicians and the mullah and their chela taliban.

To Educate the masses but should not be given to corrupt University Professors Mafia of Pakistan, who have done nothing for the good o f Pakistan even after getting millions of dollars from HEC. They just went on trips abroad and swallow all the money. Can they tell us what they did in Musharaf years when the door of treasury is open to them.

Education for start. BTW I am surprised at the question. Question should be how to become self reliant? What is very clear is that Pakistan is not a country with oil wells hence it have to live in global village. I bet the day OPEC runs out of oil they will stop living on a island.

what do u mean how the money should be spend? it should be divided between all the politicians and send aboard to there swiss accounts!

Most important challenge Pakistan facing at this point is Militancy, extreme radicalisation of society, and lack proper democratic sytem and net result poor economy and a weak state.

whatever money you pump in to the country it will not change or improve the over all situation, changes need to start from government and civil society first they need to understand their priorities and stop wasting energy and resources in building up military capabilities rather than spending on education and poverty eradication.

Unless fundamentals are not changed next 5 years would be a critical time for Pakistani state

Tax money, more often than not, is misspent by government, and if given over to another government will be twice misspent. Plutocrats are the most short-sighted people in the world, destroying the world that would be their grandchildren’s for the sake of today’s glittering, filthy lucre.
Call me a cynic — I hear the word as “realist”.

I believe the optimum way to spend the money would through the grassroots level. All those countries which have pledged to provide assistance should notify which regions they want to work in through their local organizations like the USAID,JICA etc.This would be a surgical approach since these NGO’s know what is best rather than our clumsy,corrupt government and the ‘mega corrupt army’.
Moreover this regional approach would help in less duplication of resources besides helping people in those areas take note of the development and good work done by these countries and help in generating more goodwill.
We dont want to enrich the government and its cronies with 5Bn USD’s!!
Everyone knows how the money was pilfered after the Earthquake and other disasters which have afflicted us!!

Too Little Too Late for Pakistan

At an aid forum in Japan, the world’s wealthy pledged to donate $5 billion to Pakistan. The aid conference was a joint affair between Japan and the World Bank, and 30 governments participated. We believe that this commitment is meaningless if the world wants to help the Pakistani state in its current form.
http://dailyexception.com/2009/04/17/too-little-too-late-for-pakistan/

The question should not be how to utilise the fund, rather who will utilise the fund?
In our sub-continent all the problems are due to lack of honest hand who can distribute the resources of people to the People. In Pakistan this is even more a difficult situation as the distributing hand becomes hands; Civilian Govt, Millitary establishment, Religious bodies. The land of Pure should be the civilian Govt.(Representative of common Pakistanis without any intervention of Military and ISI.) Start thinking through your own eyes. Then you will find who is the best to manage the fund. The establishment should fear you, not the other way (Though India is not close to it; at least we all are aware of it and trying to close the gap). If you people leave this suggestion to be handled by your present civilian Govt then you will be missing the bus once again. The only way you can force accountability on the present Govt. is by showing a level of confidence in yourself. You need to stand against any kind of divisive force in your country, raise your bar for patriotism without religious flavor in it. If you (Progressive patriots) takes the reign of Pakistan, then as an Indian I can assure you People like me will be the first line of defence against any aggression against Pakistan

I would spend the money on abolishing madrassahs in the country and instead focus on significantly improving the ’secular’ education system, introducing modern subjects such as math, science, the social sciences and ethics into the curriculum. I would also allocate a budget for cost of books, room and board etc for poor children.

I believe that all knowledge available to humanity has been created and/or revealed by God so there is absolutely no reason to make a distinction between a ‘religious’ versus a ’secular’ education.

I would say that the grant should go into direct assistance. We got many education, health and government institution needed capacity building. We need curriculum in education, we need international stardards and training in health sectors, we need capacity building in our public sector so that they can be more efficient and effective.

Depending on the World for Aid has been become habit for Pakistan. When Pak get the Aid, I believe 40% of money goes into contractors/Builders/Politicians and 40% goes into Nuclear Weapons/Army and rest will be used for development in the country. Even though country does little development, that is not actually utilized by the Pakistanis, since that was bombed by militents/talibans/extrimists. So whatever, they are getting the AID, that is used for its purpose.

Pakistanis are not understanding the value of AID. If someone (Ex.A) works very hard to earn money, then he will know the value of it. He will be heartbroken, if he looses it. If someone (Ex.B) get the money in AID or lottery, then he may feel bad or sad, once he loses it. But (Ex.B)s pain is not same as (Ex.B)s’ pain.

What my point is Pakistanies do not know that value of AID, what external countries/people are giving, they will only understand, if the money earned by(taxes paid)them is wasted. They they will demand/orotest the culprits to stop demaging the schools,maques and institutions

I am quite surprised that most of the comments so seriously outline what they think is the right way to spend this money. Education, helath, infrastructure etc are the common refrain, in sum total the people are crying hoarse to build the country.
However, I am also surprised that no one questions the fact that Pakistan has lived on dole for far too long, its people have lost their dignity through poor governance be it by the military or the civil wizards and yet there isnt much of an out cry to stop seeking aid and get the nation to start developing itself towards self reliance. It may take 25 years but each day closer to that goal will bring much more happiness all round than getting a few billions thrown at your door every now and then with a list of directions on how to live your life.
My suggestion is to ensure this money does not go into the wrong hands and these are clearly the Army, the Taliban and the politician, not necessarily in that order. Anywhere else will benefit Pakistan in development and self reliance. For this to happen, the sleeping population needs to rise and have its voice heard. I think it is the most timid population in the region and it needs to change to save its country, or what is left of it.

If The Pakistani State Can’t Deliver, Talk To Its Provinces And To Its Tribes (www.dailyexception.com)

http://dailyexception.com/2009/04/10/if-the-pakistani-state-can%e2%80%99t-deliver-talk-to-its-provinces-and-to-its-tribes/

How would we spend the billions of dollars of financial Aid to Pakistan?

We will divide up one quarter of the money among top political leaders swiss bank and other accounts.

2nd quarter of the money will be divided among Pakistani parliament’s members personal accounts.

3rd quarter will be divided among Pakistani military’s top generals.

Last quarter of the aid money might be spend for some development works.

I am an Indian citizen. Firstly, there must be security provided to people of Pakistan, free from terrorists. Only then any money can be utilized.

first of all we should be thankful to U S A, because since the birth of Paistan they have ever been our supporter in the time of need as all of us witnessed during the earth quake of2006 in our home land U S A provided us un precedentle support to us at that time .NOW WE ARE IN FINANCIAL CRISES they are ready to proviide us financial support on annual bases for the coming five years.
The problem is how we should use this support I have certain suggestions in this regard
1 This support should only be used for industerialsation in Northern Areas .
There should be strict check and balance by a joint team of usa and Pakistan that there should be no mal practise in this regard
3 Pakis tan is facing worst energy crises now a days.To claim about industrialisation with out energy is to live in fools paradise.Each month brings the message of increase of prices of electricity .REAL CAUSE OF THIS RISE IN PRISES IS NOT THE INCREASE OF OIL OR GAS PRiSES IN THE WORLD BUT CORRUPTION IN THE RESPECTIVE DEPARTMENTS.Common man observes all thisand thinks that high offocials and minister of these departments are not fore sighted at all. Their such timely decisions wil bring chaos in Pakistani society.
This money can be used in power generating sector but honesty must be given priority
Problam of the is to tackle terrotism at any cast.Capatalism has no concern with the problems of common man .but common man easily becoms the tool of terrorists because of hunger and poverty .Multi national companies are fully involve in corruption in order to high the graph of their profit They for get that every action has its reaction .
So USAmust realise the real cause of terrorism and provide money purily for industrialisation

I have seen a lot of comments on this page.

The war on terror is not America’s war. It is Pakistan’s war. Swat and the entire tribal areas are not in Washington. They are in Pakistan. Thousands of km of your country is now in the hands of the Taliban, who do not pay taxes or recognize the government of Pakistan. The threat to your soveriegnity is not from USA. They will finally go back one day. Taliban are here to stay. They are a few kms from Islamabad. I am extremely surprised that Pakistanis are still blaming USA for their problems.

Pakistan must develop its internal capabilities. That is the only way out.

Surely, it is the most important part of external aid once it is obtained with high political and economic costs. How to use this aid and which sectors will be more productive, has to be identified beforehand. wastage should not be an option. the aid must go to areas and sectors that reduces social unrest and produce incentive fro the young people to join the mainstream instead of looking to Taliban Militancy or nationalist uprisings in Balochistan.

That must not be a problem for our politicians. They know how to use that for non military purposes…
This aid should be used on Heath, Education and Communication.

The Priorities should be as follows:

1- Peace in every aspect of life, from politics, business to daily life
2- Concentration of non-physical entities via social reform, marketing. Security is a weird thing, when you are insecure you put others security in jeopardy. Use it as a tactic. I remember back in 80’s in Rawalpindi, a serial killer [used hammer] emerged, repeated murders, so much that it was widely published and people were so vigilant that almost everyone stopped going out after 8pm. The only one on street were either police or serial killer. within a few days he got caught by police. Vigilance & action by everyone enhances security. life returned to normal soon.
3- Revitalization of inherent strengths, like textile industry, sports equipment exports, medical equipment, list goes on. Assess what was lost over decades, recalibrate the same equilibrium.
4- Invest in education, infrastructure, business
5- Small Business, Technology and Economic Development
6- Education, Children and Family Development
7- Community Development, Transportation and Infrastructure
8- Health, Social Development, Public Safety, Environment

How we can build Pakistan
Pakistan can only be build with justice and education.
If money is used to provide basic need like food shelter,water and electricity ,than masses will move forward for education.
Without basic facilities,we cannot expect any progress,first come food,second come shelter,third come comfort(availibility of water and electricity)and then come education.
spend money so we may see result,

I will tell Senator John Kerry that the only wise thing for the USA is to get involved in actual spending of the aid in Pakistan. The best way, and probably the ONLY sensible way to spend American dollars of the said aid, in Pakistan, is to have American experts present in Pakistan where money spending experts of Pakistan are planning to do their job. And they should be right there to suggest, change, and stop any cent being spent in an undesirable way. Besides, there should also be American auditors to check, if the approved plan is being executed in an honest manner. Short of this, any plan is bound to fail, for the USA, at least.

I think that the problems that Pakistan and India are facing is directly linked to religious bigotry on both sides but also equally to financial mismanagement in Pakistan. Admittedly Indian are also equally corrupt but at least they are generating money on their own while Pakistan is not.

Unfortunately Pakistan is dependent on others to bail them out who will want to see their money or resources used in ways they like. Pakistanis want to get others to help them out but then not to attatch ‘conditions’. Sadly this won’t happen. Tragedy for the rest of the world is that the militancy and religious orthodoxy in Pakistan will hurt them, as much as it is, and will be hurting Pakistan. On one hand West wants to give aid to Pakistan to protect from the looming danger to themselves, but do want to see that their aid is not fritted away as happened during Gen. Musharraf’s time . So long Pakistani Government and politicians do not realise that they must swallow their pride and help to eradicate the common enemy , the danger to everyone will not go away. And everyone will suffer.

I believe the best way to spend ain would be to invest in industrial infrasture,education and health.Aid should be divided into two parts one should be used for the maintaninance of the existing infrastructure oad the other part should be for the development of new infrastructure

The money should be spent in 3 fields – education, education and education. Education on sciences and arts, education in democracy and secularism (every Pakistani has the same rights irrespective of his religion), and philosophy of all religions. Otherwise Pakistanis will have opportunity to flourish only in non-Muslim countries and Pakistan will become another Afghanistan.

This nation will stand on its feet only if we all start paying Taxes and stop stealing electricity.

I agree with the majority who made suggestion and comments for the better utilization of the Grant/Aid. The kind and generous government of America should focus on the following if they want to achieve desireable results.

• Education: (illiteracy is the root cause of fundamentalism and militancy)
Facility of good education should not be limited to urban areas only. People living in rural and remote areas should get equally opportunity. Unless we do not educate the masses of rural area, we can not get the desired results. It is therefore,imperative to give quality education to poor and rural people. Through this exposure, they will be able to understand the difference between the real Islam and the Islam of Mullah.

• Health: People living in rural areas are deprived of quality health care. Through this grant, there should be hospitals and health centers in less focused and remote areas. It should not comprise of a building but equipped with modern diagnostic tools and qualified doctors.

• Creation of Jobs: unemployment rate is very high again in the rural areas therefore. Many youngsters migrate to urban areas in search of jobs, though, they do not get an appropriate job to live a respectful life they end up in the hands of criminals who attract them with good incentives and better life, and in return, they ask them to commit crimes. To eliminate the crimes we should create jobs in their own environment. Once they will live with family they will be better supervised and will not indulge in heinous crimes.

• Investment in judicial reform, restructuring of policing system, and respectful salaries for government employees will bring tangible results.

I request the US government to supervise/monitor each project directly and make sure that the project is sustainable. Please, please do not give money but a skill in shape of education and a project sustainable and beneficial for the poor people of Pakistan. We must learn the lesson from the Afghan Russia war, which corrupted our top brass of military and high official and today’s scenario is a result of that money given in suitcases.

I am not sure how your Govt. will spend it, however knowing (how so ever little) aboutthe powers that be in India as well as Pakistan, I can confidently state that it shall be spent as follows :-

50% share – Army and other forces
30% share – Politicians in power
20% share – Govt. officials / NGO’s involved in distribution of the money.

The deserving / needy will get nothing. This money shall land up in Swiss Bank accounts.

Sorry, but isn’t this how it always happens in the sub continent.

my question is to everyone here is “As our president and prime minister says it is our war then why do we beg for money?” for how long Pakistan will depend on foreign aid to survive and who will provide forever? We should start to ask questions from our leaders regarding their lavish lifestyles being paid from our money. Instead of depending on any foreign aid we should get rid of corrupt politicians and develop our own economy & education.

It really saddens me to see how our people are degenerating into religious bigotry, unable to think and act in rational ways. Is this what Pakistan was created for? We would have been better off if we were to stay with India.

Anyway, lets think of ways to get out of this hellhole that we are in.

I believe there is only one way to civilize Pakistanis. Bring Chinese style Communist Revolution and impose strict one child policy and make education compulsory (full time for those not working and night classes for those working). This is, my friends, the only way Pakistanis can ever be civilised!

The money can be spent on several things..
1. Education.
THe money can be spent on education by raising the standard of government schools so that people from low to middle class feel at ease to send their children to school at an affordable cost and a good learning environment,creating a new educational system that is both efficient and successful in making sure that the students graduate and can have a succesful life afterwards,ensuring students receive a proper learning environment and schools in rural areas to maximise the learning radius. Also teachers should have a good salary so that they are attentive in schools. Strict measures should be taken in supervising each school’s adcedemic criteria and further changes that need to be done to make it a better school. ALso this will increase our literacy rate. literate nation is more concerned about the country and are more apt in making the right choices in a more logical way

2.Recyling Centres
By creating recyling centres of paper, plastic etc. will help reduce the burden of the national debt and it will also keep the environment clean.People can be paid to collect shopping wrappers, pepsi cans and scarps of paper and bring to the recyling centre. this will also diminish pollution to certain extent. Also every major industry or factory needs to have a proper waste treatment plant that will ensure proper disposal of its waste materials.

3.Reconstruct public infrastructure and its continous maintainence.
THe thing about Pakistan and why looks like its about to fall apart is due to old buildings, roads, railway tracks and the inability to maintain public infrasturcture. Many old buildings from the British times still stand and are close to crumbling. They are being used and reused again and again until they fall from the burden.Old broken roads, broken train tracks…etc. By Maintaining infrasturcture regulary can ensure a prosperous country and less chance of accidents.

4. Better health facilites and more efficient hospitals in rural areas
Hospitals and clinics need to be built that are fully equipped with all the medical equipment and doctors and nurses. Governmnet doctors and nurses should be stationed in rural areas with as much pay as in an urban area so that they are content to where they are stationed.

5.work towards positive balance of payments
this can be achieved by increasing value-added exports and not importing lesurie items tht can be easily made in pakistan. We can increase our exports by
*development of cottage and small-scale industries for export puroses
* Strict quality control

if the non-military aid is used on the given areas, pakistan can hope to be recgonized by the world through positive eyes

First, we should not beg from others.

if the condition is worse then the given fund should be used in the way , that could bring changes to the Pakistan.

such as, instead of giving him fish for his meal, teach him to fish:
there should such programmes for the public that could enable the people earn their butter and bread.
Major part should be spend on the education, professional education and technical trainings for the lay men of the society. as someone had done it in Bangladesh.
a little money should be spend to make people and upper hands to be faithful to their country and their duties, even the parliament. which will change the society.

if the Americans will want to help Pakistan then directly start some projects.

simply the Americans should use this Aid Directly; make a Hospital or provide some medical Equipment, make Roads, provide this Aid Directly to the Universities and Schools – buy them Computers etc. Start some Water Plantation Projects, invest directly into power Projects to reduced the Electricity Shortage in to Pakistan nowadays. Only in this way the Americans Will Win the Hearts of Pakistani Peoples.

Yes I know this is going to sound funny, but the real solution is to spend the money to import a leader, perhaps from China.
The nation is vibrant and dynamic but lacks good leadership.

more have been said about civic sense, but what is it? and if theres a single interpretation which could be applied uniquely in a society with different customs?

i say a public advertisement on the roads is good enough. it can ask people to stay behind the zebra crossing at the signals!!!!! rules awareness programmes does good!

I will like to tell Mr. kerry that Pakistan hope that USA will act as our friend country and help us morally, financially and strategically .USA should not only act as a friend but deeply help us and compensate us because the situation in which Pakistan suffering is due to USA war in Afghanistan. Basically the Afghan war effected Pakistan and Pakistan jumped in war on the pressure of USA. Now it is responsibility of USA to fully support Pakistan in military, civil and strategic fields. The need is to find the route causes of terrorism and then find their solutions.

The money in Pakistan should be spent on education and agriculture based industry to increase employment. Pakistan is under power generation crisis a huge investment in electricity generation is needed urgently.

Almost all the comments posted by respected writers emphasize on education, I understand and respect their views, we need education but we also need to understand Pakistan is a poor country our first priority should be creating livelihood opportunities for our people and right now the most desired people are of FATA and Balochistan, they don’t have anything to eat how will they educate their children, just imagine if you are in this condition what will you do first will you find something to eat for your children or will you educate them the money should not be provided to PK Govt. The USA must put a system and people in place who reports to them rather than PK Govt. With all this we should not forget our law enforcing agencies a specific % of funds must be spent on them to make them more active and vibrant in the recent times we have seen it is the law enforcement agencies who are taking a hit for us, we should unite and stand behind our forces to support them in any way we can.
I love my country a lot more than my parents and anything else on this earth, I want PK to be a great nation for all of its citizens regardless of their color, religion or anything else. PK Zindabad.

Priority needs to be on the following,

1, A strong and independent law enforcement capability (This includes training, remuneration and independence from political manipulation)

2, Authentic Judiciary

3, Subsidize basic utilities and food products.

4, Execute badly needed infrastructure development (Dams, Power houses, roads etc).

5, Standardize and update the education system (Agree on one ciriculum and try to reduce the divide of quality between Public and Private schools).

We never had problems of such an extreme nature before Afghanistan was attacked by the Americans in response to 9/11.

Would America allow this kind of collateral damage if this war was being fought in America itself?

So first take those steps which you would if this war was being fought in America itself.

Dear friends,

before commenting, please keep in mind the shamful and disgracing conditions of this aid. Does your national dignity allows you to accept this “aid” with these conditions.

THINK——————–

New conditions incorporated into Pakistan aid bill By Anwar Iqbal
Friday, 10 Apr, 2009 | 05:22 AM PST WASHINGTON, April 9: Pakistan will have to undertake not to support any person or group involved in activities meant to hurt India and to allow US investigators access to individuals suspected of engaging in nuclear proliferation if it wants to qualify for a three-fold increase in US economic assistance.

The clause requiring such a pledge has been incorporated into a bill moved in the US House of Representatives on April 2, seeking to provide $1.5 billion of annual assistance to Pakistan for a period of five years.

Clause (J) of the bill, called the Pakistan Enduring Assistance and Cooperation Enhancement or the PEACE Act of 2009, requires Pakistan “not to support any person or group that conducts violence, sabotage, or other activities meant to instil fear or terror in India”.

This means that Pakistan will have to ban all Kashmir groups involved in armed struggle in the valley against India.

Clause (K) of the bill binds Pakistan to ensure access of US investigators to “individuals suspected of engaging in worldwide proliferation of nuclear materials, and restrict such individuals from travel or any other activity that could result in further proliferation.”

If adopted, the act would enable US investigators to seek direct access to Dr A. Q. Khan and other members of his group accused of providing nuclear technology to Iran, Libya and North Korea.

The Indian lobby on Capitol Hill played a key role in getting the two clauses incorporated into the bill.

The Pakistani caucus, which once started as an effective lobbying group, has been rendered ineffective by the Pakistani embassy. To ensure that it cannot function as an independent body, the embassy purged all senior people from a support group created to provide technical support to the caucus.

Consequently, the Pakistan caucus which on papers has the support of almost 100 lawmakers, has become a non-functioning body with no clout on the Hill.

The need for Pakistan’s help in fighting the Taliban and Al Qaeda militants in Afghanistan and Fata also played a key role in motivating US lawmakers for seeking to increase the aid to Pakistan.

But this did not prevent the House members from seeking strict restrictions against Pakistan in return for the aid.

Clause (H) of the bill requires Pakistan not to provide any support, direction, guidance to, or acquiescence in the activities of, any person or group that engages in any degree in acts of violence or intimidation against civilians, civilian groups, or governmental entities.

Clause (I) needs Pakistan to redouble its efforts to prevent the presence of the Taliban and Taliban-affiliated groups in Pakistan that support insurgents in Afghanistan.

To ensure transparency and provide effective accountability of all US assistance and reimbursements provided to Pakistan, the bill wants Islamabad to improve counter-terrorism financing and anti-money laundering laws to comply with international standards, to include applying for “Financial Action Task Force” observer status and adhering to the United Nations International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism.

The task force is an inter-governmental body whose purpose is the development and promotion of national and international policies to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.

The bill also requires Pakistan to take all appropriate measures to adapt its armed forces to be able to conduct effective and sustained counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.

The bill, however, also recognises Pakistan as an invaluable friend and ally to the United States, “both in times of strife and in times of peace”.

It notes that the two countries share many common goals, including combating terrorism and violent radicalism, solidifying democracy and rule of law in Pakistan, and promoting the social and material wellbeing of the people of Pakistan.

The bill assures the Pakistani people that the United States seeks a “sustained, long-term, multifaceted relationship” with Pakistan based on friendship between the peoples of the two countries, the commitment to democracy and the rule of law, and the mutual interests of stability, security, and prosperity.

“It is critical for the United States to support Pakistan’s democratic government and strengthen its democratic institutions, including its parliament and the judicial system,” the bill notes.

The bill also makes it clear that the United States supports Pakistan’s struggle against extremist elements and recognises the profound sacrifice made by Pakistan in the fight against terrorism.

Firstly and importantly it must be spent out on the Quality Education with true sense & spirit, then on the social sector which includes fair & speedy Justice, maintenance of law & order, if an amount left then it should be spent on improving Health facilities.

It is interesting to see all talking of good for pakistan ! What we always fail to comprehend is that nothing comes for free in this world.It didn’t even come to Prophets without costs.
Determine now the direction for alliances with west or Mullah ! As long as cultural link with the local clergy is respected by state and society ,things are going to improve.Cooperation with developed world is essential for our future, a God given opportunity of global recession has opened new vistas for us to capitalize .
There is no dearth of qualified people in this country ,it only needs a merit based system where all are accountable including the Army.

US civilian aid of 1.5B a year is not going to make any difference in the lives of poor Pakistanis unless we change our economic system/policies.The Pakistani government must privatize all the industries like PIA, pakistan railways, WAPDA, telecom, banks and insurance comanies to mention a few. These concerns are loosing million of dollars every year and are a burden on our economy. The poor Pakistanis have to wait for months to get a electric meter or a telephone line unless they pay huge bribes to the government officials. The funds received by selling these assets to private companies can be used to retire foreign loans and reduce interest payments. This will also reduce the corruption in the society because government employees don’t perform their duties without huge bribes and not to mention the selling of jobs to the highest bidder. Alhumdu Lillah, Allah has bestowed Pakistan with lot of resources and hard working people but our economic system is in a state of shambles.

Nationalization of major industries (Cotton Mills, banks, insurance etc) was started by late Z.A.Bhutto and it ruined the country and foreign investments evaporated. The law and order must be maintained for economic growth and to encourage foreign investments in the country. No investor will ever invest a dime in a country where his/her life is in danger. Hongkong does not have any resources and everything is imported from outside but enjoys a highest per capita income after USA. Our judicial system must root out corruption in the society and no one should be above the law. We need leaders like our chief justice who stood against a dictator without fearing for his life. Individuals who committed crimes against the country must be punished in order to deter such crimes in the future. justice delayed is justice denied.

Religious education should also be provided in the schools because a nation without Deen is nothing. We have tried almost everything (socialism, capitalism etc) to solve our problems and the situation is worsening everyday. We must wake up before its too late.

Reject this Aid it is Acquired Independence Deficiency. It is time, Ruling elite of Pakistan learn to rely on it self as people of Pakistan being doing for last 60 yrs. The ruler of Pakistan always blame people of Pakistan for their own short comings, this charity will only feed deep corrupt pockets of bureaucracy, civil servants and ruling elite. We have to break this vicious cycle of dependency. Pakistani technocrats and economist should get together and formulate long term goals for developing Pakistan’s economy, not five years parasitic plans.

I will suggest that this aid should utilize to improve the life style of people living in trible areas of Pakistan,Educate them with the latest theme of studies and provide employments so that thay can think in positive way rather being Fundamentalist only easy access to education can solve what we are facing in these areas.

Education, Education & Education: Every thing will emanate from a well educated society. Instead of just condemning Madrassas, it is better to bring them into the mainstream education institution. The job isn’t that difficult to perform.

I really find it surprising that I haven’t seen much anger among the Pakistani people regarding this whole aid thing. IMF bailed Pakistan out at the last moment to avert a foreign payment obligation disaster. And moreover the haggling done by the Pakistan government over not only the amount of aid (your ambassador to US asking for $30 billion, and I think your president also came out with a number)but also how they should receive it, without any conditions. If I remember correctly, aid without conditions has been received by Pakistan several times in its history, look where it has gotten you!! Anyway good luck and all I can hope is that every dollar of all this aid goes for the benefit of the Pakistani people.
And to expect the US to not attach conditions is foolish, we are reeling here in the US under all these bank failures and bailouts and sour economy. American taxpayers are angry right now and as such aid without safeguarding American interests is not going to happen.

First of all Ladies and Gents this money is peanuts pakistan lost 10 time more in this so called War on Terror. Pakistan needs 7.5 billion every year for the next 10 years to stand on its feet.

Pakistan is a nation having great potential. We can stand on our own feet without any feoreign aid. We must not forget that aid be it from US, IMF etc comes with conditions which only strengthen their grip on Pakistan.

Regarding how we can manage:
We must realise pakistan is a land full of resources ranging from gold and copper to coal and natural gas. Moreover, being an agricultural nation we should ideally be independant of foreign powers.

What needs to be done is the public should account the leaders especially feudals for their corruptions in the agricultural sector(by keeping a majority of the land barren), and also limit the power of selling off any resource of Pakistan eg (rekodik mines) to foreigners.

And this can only be done if we replace articles of our constitution which give immunity to ministers, PM, president, COAS and CJ i.e all elites!! And also replace those articles which give these leaders the freedom to do whatever they like by simply passing bill of interest to the MNAs but a disaster for Pakistan.

I personally believe the problems are political in nature and 60+ years have shown that keeping hopes from these leaders, this constitution, or this democratic system is just a myth!

1.5 billion a year is not enough and should be increased.

Whatever be the amount it should be spent through US agencies directly and not through the corrupt politicians and bureaucrats of Islambad.

There must be no favouritism and all provinces should get an equal share. May be a little bit more for FATA and Swat since they are lagging far behind and have suffered the most.

Nothing should be paid till Sharia is undone in Swat.

The money should be spend on the re-education of the weakest, illiterate and the most dangerous people in Pakistan; the clerics, the army men, the policemen who have been influenced by the Saudi style Wahabism and support the Taliban with money, morale and links.

Aid would add into the deposits held by few but corrupt elete of Pakistan. I am sure not even a meager amount would trickle down to poor lot. 1.5 Bn dollars of aid it judiciousely utilized, i am sure would bringsome tangable effects on economic well being of Pakistanies. However how small the amount may be it would not be used honestly. I recommend that instead of handing it over to goverment, it should be given to a board of directors which may include Mr Nawaz Sherif, Mr IMran Khan and other leaders which may include even Mr Pervaiz Elahi. Giving it to government and expecting a judicious utilization is asking too much from our time tested elite.

No aid money is going to stop the country from being Talibanized when efforts are sabotaged by corrupt politicians, by uneducated Wahabi clerics, and worse, by some military and security intelligence men who betray us and our forces by giving aid and training to our extremist enemies backstabbing us in the back like the recent Dawn article below suggests.

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/sindh/tale-of-militants-motivation-and-reach–za

Do not give a cent to the politicians or those in senior government positions. Use it on education, health, clean water and food and jobs creating industries and technical institutions providing skills and education.

Spend more on those who needs it not wants it. For example, Zakat is the right of poor and needy. So any donations/development packages must be utilized for/on those who needs it. The small provinces of Pakistan have been robbed and cheated for decades by the larger ones, and especially the politicians from there, so please educate the non-educated people of Pakistan so the whole nation can benefit from this and other packages and every one can stand on their own feet. Education and technical skills are the most important for any nation to succeed. While the small provinces are blamed for everything goes bad in the country but no one is paying attention to the causes of it. Lack of education, employment and health facilities are the common problems of the common man and woman in Pakistan. Pakistan has been robbed by the corrupt politicians and we need to get rid of them if we want Pakistan to be a strong independent country.

I fully agree with Sarwar Husain, Yawar Saeed Khan, Husain Mandviwala, Tarique and many others who realize that education is the only means of breaking the hold over poor people by militant mullahs. Illiterate people cannot vote, cannot educate their children to at least aim for a rung on the ladder above their parents’. The government has failed for many years to provide adequate educational opportunities for the poor. With no other choices, parents are thus forced to send their children, usually boys, to madrassahs, many of which are run by radical clerics who do not want progress or modernization of any kind. I agree with those that say the government and army should be kept out of responsibility for disbursing non-military aid. ISI Chief visiting Washington should be informed that scrutiny will be imposed on all aid. US partly to blame for not/not demanding that the $10 billion to Pakistan over the past 8 years in the so-called war-on-terror must contain strong and transparent development and educational components. It is not too late for this. Pakistan gained the world’s respect when the lawyers took to the streets and demanded the reinstatement of the Chief Justice. It took a long time but that has finally happened, thanks to a courageous exercise of democratic rights. The poor do not understand those rights, people on this site are doing it for them and I applaud them for that. Write letters to papers, hold demonstrations – where those are allowed. The few who can should speak out forcibly for those who cannot. Good luck!

I hope that the United States sticks to its guns, does not give a red cent of unconditional aid to Pakistan, and carefully monitors how it is disbursed,

The recent happenings in Pakistan i.e. the passage of the bill accepting the enactment of the Sharia bill with the full cocurrence of the so called secular parties, PPP and ANP is shameful and disgusting and is likely to mark the beginning of the end of Pakistan. The appeasement of the Mullahs will achieve nothing but will surely embolden them to ask for more.

MQM, reviled and derided as it is,not entirely without reason, at least shines in this sorry situation by standing for modernity and secularism to say nothing of its connection to the masses, being against feudalism and dynastic politics, the scourge of political life in Pakistan.

I suppose if the girl’s schools blown up by Talibs in Swat were to be rebuilt then that would be a start.

I can answer the question with a hypothetical answer because question itself is hypothetical. I say this because once the money is under the pak bureacracy control, they will find a way to pocket these funds in their personal accounts. If Senator Kerry really wants that the aid should benefit the poor masses then he must secure US oversight rights over any project funded by US Aid. The money should be spent on Education, healthcare and power supply. some aid should be spent on reforming/training of the administrative machinery. These development programs should only be in the rural areas and small towns/villages of NWFP and Balochistan .Further, these development projects should not be the traditional way. For example construction of buildings for hospitals. There are plenty buildings marked as hospitals but there are no doctors and no medical equipments in those buildings. Aid should be spent to improve the existing schools and hospitals and build new building only where necessary. I would like to mention here one true story of an education project in my village in Distt. Sanghar Sindh. There was a primary school in the village consisting of two rooms with mud walls and wooden roof and a large compound with lot of trees. There was no electricity but there was no need for electricity due to the natural cooling because of trees. The education deptt. cut all the trees and build a brick building. In summer it was so hot one can not sit in the room and in winter too cold. Above all the building had one big iron gate which was never closed once it opened for the opening ceremony.

I have worked for the US AID as a development practioner, we worked in every disciplne including, agriculture, rural development,energy, health, education, etc. population planning.

US AID assistance consists of Technical Assistance, Commodities and Training. This is known as Project Assistance. Numerous issues emerge in this type of assistance. Commodities shipped to the country sometimes i dumped, training, when people are sent for trainingfrom government offices, one year or phd programs, some return and some are left behind. One year training [program in ujiversities there are sort of picnics and do not help build focus on work or goal orientation.

Technical assistance through US Govt. contractors is very costly. It does not help much and there is no technology transfer.

GOP will have to understand that and serious brain storming sessions needed at the planning commission, which sectors need attention and what sort of assistance is needed, should it be reimburseable basis. Let our contractors qualify the list, complete jobs and get reimbursed. If it goes into govenment budgetary procedures, ten it is just a waste of time, money and energy.

USAID Mission to Pakistan should also review the past activites and learn lessons how do our projects either failed or did not move. Why US AID Projects in various areas did not bring the desired results? Howe about involving Private Sector ? How about developing Teachers Training Programs. How about developing projects which could train our unskilled labor in the field of electricity, plumbing, carpentry and bring innovative technology in masonary and construction industry.
How about linking aid assistance with private sector participation…so if persons are trained as electricians, plumbners, technologist, lab assistant, medical technologists can get a job? How about deigning projects which bring the major segment of population learning new technolgies, Millions of cell phones are being imkported, and you don’t find one institute which could train people to repair and maintenance of cell phones. How about investments in IT field. Let government handle and regulate conventional department and let aid assistance in new area which is our need.

Let US AID not enter into again, in the fields of agriculture, agriculture education and research, poultry and livestock development, irrigation and developing water channels.Let government make their own programs. Let US AID design projects which can create jobs and which can win the public heart for America. If US AID enters into conventional projects, it won’t win public support. US AID Assistance must be related to directly rewarding population and unskilled labor of Pakistan. Otherwise even 10 billion dollar assistance will be wasted again with no benefit to public.

US AID Mission must have brain storming sessions with different segments of population to understand the practical realities where aid assistance can beuseful.

Again, US AID should not hire retired government officials to manage projects. It has been proved in 1990 in many projects, when retired govt officers were hired to manage projects, the projects failed Because these officers had their affiliations with their parent departmjents and lot of favoritizm and nepotizm developed. It was dagerous to AID assistance.

US AID Mission need to reassess and revisit what had happened in the past. I worked for AID 1956-1991. I and many others like me know very well, how US AID Projects failed.

Econoic Affairs Division, Planning Commission must sort out which areas need more attention where more jobs can be created.

We definitely need Teachers Training Institutes to train train teachers for future schools. We need trained technicians. we need equipment in hospitqals. We need training in hospital administration . Let MS be relieved of his administrative duties, letnon-medical people handle administration and let professional do their work.

Management should not be left with doctors. Let them go into R&D and do something creative. Lot of Mnagement Specialists and HRD people available to manage such institutions.

AID should not go back to Water Management and Ag.University Faisalabad, let provincial govt. handle it. AID won’t make much difference. Traing PHDs, and then what. How to develop Research Institutes,let them come upto the expectations of the people of Pakistan. Ask Dr. Zafar Altaf, what he thinks about it.

He has pretty good idea as to whatto do in Agriculture.

I would request both GOP and US AID to look seriously on US AID Assistance programs andlet us know do something unique which could win thehearts of Pakistani public.

Stand on your own foot! Stop begging! Empower yourself! Need to have self respect! Don’t lose your self-esteem!

I am pakistani working in UK. I am surprised at the fact that noone is talking strong in terms of Taliban. The president and prime minister agree that they are threat to the future of the country.Also local activists, women ngo’s, educated class etc. But I havent seen any strong remark from ISI or army regarding strong action to be taken against Taliban. The army chief said the country is capable of any internal or external threat. How can he justify the fact that Taliban supporters are moving freely in Buner, spreading their power. Cant the military be send there, and fight against them there ? Isnt this kind of encouraging them , to turn a blind eye, by not doing anything? I am depressed seeing the current plight.

first thing first. We are missing the audits and check and balance on the aid we received from USA. Therefore, we need to set-up the process to make sure we hold govt and other agencies accountable to justify and publish where they spend the money. Once we have established the process, I think money can spend in public necessities and safety which falls into following:

1) Clean water availability for each and every citizen who lives in Pakistan.

2) Distribution of undistributed electricity throughout the country.

3) safety of the public which may requires hiring of trained and well paid police officers. Installation of cameras on major cities and intersections, check points with latest equipments, more police stations.

4) Education – opening up semi private primary and secondary school so poor people can have free quality education. Also, introducing the voucher system for education for needy families and choice of schools.

5) Jobs – Provide jobs for every age level so crimes can be reduce from the society.

I hope this helps!

regards,

Imran

Why do we have to beg? I think we have lost our integrity as a nation. We need to learn to live on our own else there is no future for Pakistan. We need a true leader.

US aid to Pakistan must be used for development projects such as Energy, textile upgrading, petrochemicals, fertilizer, cottage industry and mining.

But US must send in team to monitor the expenditure from going into politicians bank accounts. Let everyone declare their wealth before a dollar is received. It will be very unfortunate if leaders skim the money. Everyone must note this is the last time we will have a chance of development.

Pakistan must reject the aid if it has conditions like veto power for India and surrender of Dr. Khan.

Pardon my cynicism but I am not sure this aid will do Pakistan any good. The way things are it might as well end up in pockets of our so-called leaders (civilian and military).
If the US is really serious about getting Pakistan back on track, it should drop this policy of doling out handouts. Instead it must concentrate on strengthening Pakistan’s democracy (at center, province and local level) by not overtly pampering its military. What we need is strong institutions and capable work force to man them. The US should help us set up world-class universities, research centers and a productive industrial sector. We need to stand on our feet. We can’t be receiving money for doing undesirable jobs for others forever. The US by now must have realised that the source of many of Pakistan’s ills is this addiction to foreign intervention whenever things take a turn for the worse. This policy needs to be abandoned, not reinforced.

Senator Kerry and the USA must ensure that the non military aid they are giving is utilised for improving the eduction and the enlightenment of the people in Pakistan.

on health, education and alternative energy sources especially solar energy. its disbursement should be monitored by a non governmental, apolitical panel of honest and educated professionals so it does not end up in someones personal investment account.

From what I read here, on the Dawn web site, about sharia law, kidnappings, floggings, burning girls schools and all the rest, I’m writing to my representative in Washington asking what we are doing giving you any kind of aid. You should really start looking internally for the root cause of your problems. Pakistan and India have basicly the same starting point, and where as India is moving toward a “world power”, Pakistan is moving toward the “stone age”.

Pakistan has great civic minds, the best any country could ask for like Ayaz Amir. Instead of thretening to silence people like them, empower them.

First spend the money on Education and ensure Madarasas education lead to useful employment

Second use the money to have strong land reforms and help rural poor agrarian communities

Third,spend the money on mother and child health programmes

Invest on cooperative live stock development and milk production

Advice is cheap. Here is some more:
1) Understand what are Pakistan’s problems:
Pakistan has been peddling on a fixed cycle since its inception. Movement if any has been in the reverse direction. So set up a UN approved watchdog commission (or a neutral one)to study why Pakistan is in this state? What mistakes were made and how these can be avoided in future. This is to ensure that any funds that come in should not go toward further propagating the problems as it has been so far. Funds can be a good thing if it helps the cycle move forward but a bad thing if not.

2) Prioritize goals: If it is understood that security is key to the success of any development plans, have a 2 year plan to beef it up to the point where it can be counted on to help execute the plans. Meanwhile keep planning as to how best to utilize the funds when security improves. Have a debate. Establish a transparent internet based system to track funds and responsibilities like India recently did.

3). Have the commission also recommend actions based on successful models from other countries that are relevant to Pakistan’s situation. (when Nehru was working on the five year plans which resulted in IITs, Pakistan was undergoing a power struggle between Army and people).

4). It is very important that people see democratic process as a credible path to the nations problems. Invest in PR to help people understand it. Together with investment in security, invest also in eradicating political corruption.

5). Reevaluate the value of agencies and Military’s political wings to the future success of Pakistan. Modify institutions based on neutral recommendations. From what I have seen the agencies’ actions are in direct opposition to the needs of Pakistan. Realign the goals of the agencies.

Education & Health comes as second priority. Law & Order comes as a first priority for Federal, provincial and Municipal spendings. Education of police constables and officers should be worked out. Police Performance and Quality Control programmes should be launched. Rewards and punishments for excellent and poor performance should be introduced. Citizens in each Thana should be secretly selected to comment on police performance. Police should be trained also for white color crimes. If police case is rejected by courts for lack of evidence, related police officers should be penalized for wasting public funds. Courts should be made efficient to provide quick and relaible justice. This Law and Order spending would activate economy and people would be forced to pay taxes thereby raising enough funds (Tax Revenue) in future for Educaiton and Govt. Employess efficiency improvement programs.

The money disbursement should not be via the govt. or political channels but through other trusted local organizations such as NGOs with mass local support.

Senator Kerry, Vice President Joe Biden and President Obama must understand not to trust the individuals with corrupt background. They don’t have limited choices rather they should concentrate on reaching out more to masses via more grass root organizations.

This can only guarantee the success of the program and stability of Pakistan.

A number of times we heard from our leaders that ” we need trade not aid” but always they end up with aid. It is really surprising that US and other friendly countries prefer to give aid only, they don’t facilitate Pakistan’s export and encourage investment within Pakistan.
Whether its from US or from any other country aid is a short term relief, in long term its a problem.
Its not a big deal to determine that how the non military aid from US should be spent. Everybody knows the basic problems of Pakistan. Its education, health care, law and order and job creation.
Last but not the least every rupee should be spent through a transparent process without any corruption.

Spend it on education, health, basic infrastructure like roads/power generation

Well the biggest problem right now is how to fight Terrorism.

1 – The Govt. needs to strengthen and properly train / equip its intelligence agencies and police.

2 – Lots n lots n lots of public awareness campaigns on all media (Gigantic Boards on road sides), showing the damage (which these so called Islamic revolutionists) have brought to humanity and the Islam itself. Even the illiterate masses would be able to judge them n start hating them (the terrorists) for their dismal acts.

3 – Millions n millions of Afghans (of whom many have acquired Pakistani National ID Cards) should be tracked and sent back to their country. Pakistan will need to have latest technology for that too.

4 – Develop something for youth that can occupy their minds instead of Extremism.

Sir,
My only request will be to ensure that the funds given are properly utilized after proper feasibility reports and that strict quality control is maintained.
Thanks

Just make food ration bags and distribute it to the poor.Nothing else ever reaches them anyway.

The aid proposal by USA is something not to rejoice .I think it is shameful that a country rich in natural resources, is still dependent on external support and that for a petty amount of $ 1.5 billion.
A country of 170 million people suerly needs much more than this to manage their business.The best way for improving situation in the country is for the people to pay taxes regularly and then to rejoice.
Take the case of India in the early days, they were also dependent on external aid and see them now where their tax authorities conducts raids on most influential people as well, as a result are self sufficient to a larger degree.
In any case, since the aid has already been agreed, i suggest that it should be spent on education and health services only rather than extending the area for investment.Additionally, as has already been commented, some mechanism must be arranged to keep away the politician and the officials to make it safer.

Like every country Pakistan is infested with Sharks who keep swallowing the development funds and ensure that no Money reaches the intended beneficiaries.
No development aid will be of any use unless the State decides to grow a backbone to fight the militants who want to dictate the agenda and are willing to use violence to achieve goals. The state must cut the ground from under the feet of the Taliban – every Talib who brings his gun and surrenders to the State will be offered a wage by the Pakistani Government. The government will retrain and reskill these mujahids to become contributing members of society. Those who still are against Pakistan will be crushed with an iron hand.
Psychology is such that people always gravitate to the winning side. The Taliban is drawing recruits because the state is not interested in offering citizens the right to life and livelihood.
The strategy is clear:-
1] An amnesty and job for all the militants who who lay down arms.
2] Massive investment in development infrastructure – Schools,colleges,hospitals,industrial zones.
3] An all out attack on the remaining Militants who want to continue tyranny.
4] Decentralisation of government – from centre to state to district to village.Raising and usage of funds fully decentralised with clear cut guidelines in place.
5] All Military and Intelligence personnel Brigadier and up posted for 1 year from HQ to the field with a mandate to destroy and disrupt all Terrorist networks – orders passed after approval from Parliament.All members of the National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies must spend 180 days in their constituency,otherwise their seats will be forfeited.
6] There is no distinction between good and bad Taliban. Anyone who carries a gun,terrorises people and challenges the state writ is BAD – period.
7] Build an Pakistani identity. Politics should not show any partiality based on religion,region,sect,sex or class of people.
8] Let the Supreme court set up a Judicial Commission to recommend reforms for improving efficiencies in the quality and speed of Justice.
9] Revalidate the 1973 Constitution and expunge amendments subsequently made which have destroyed Institutions and the rule of Law.
10] All Madarasas must be registered and follow a common curriculam across the country. They will be subject to special audit for source and use of Funds,whenever found necessary.

USA civilian aid should channel through a committee of honest ngo who are watchdog. and responsible far implementation of various projects,such as technical school ,clean water health care. modern education, training of police far honesty ,integrity, service to people. Education institute based on good foundation, research,and gear to need of pakistan. Money should be spend wisely, honestly, devoid of corruption on USA side as well on Pakistani side. Money should be transfer to escrow account and managed together, and every six month audited by independent committee, not appointed by donor or recipient. Develop pilot project at same time far future learning .

If we are to accept aid in the first place, (as I am simply against pakistan begging for any kind of aid, financial or otherwise as it will never come without strings attached) then the first sector to be given utmost attention is education, not just in big towns and cities but most importantly the country side, the far flung and unreachable areas of the province of Sarhad and Balauchistan. Then the other priorities should be employment and uplift of the regions that have been neglected since the independence, and then there is ofcourse justice. And then the list can just go on.

But why Americans have their priorities in the same order as the Pakistani establishment as a whole itself has never taken interest in these priorities?

It about time that we should either decline this aid or ask donors to adjust it against loan (debt) as write-offs.

It is obviously peanuts compared to what US is spending in Afghanistan and Iraq.

This dividend is nothing compared to what we have lost in this war against terror or resources.

The amount of US$1.5 billion of economic assistance per year to Pakistan over the next five years is just a peanut & not enough for the cost impact Pakistan is bearing on US led “War on Terror”.

The amount it receives, must be utilized in a way that its benefits should go down to the masses for basic civic amenities, education, mass transit system where applicable, basic health, independent judiciary accessible to all and above all for enforcing for rule of law in the country. Administrative heads (hiring of Jeeyalas & providing perk) should not be allowed under this assistance, otherwise all the assistance will go down the drain and as such all administrative expenses to be covered by GOP from its own resources. A committee must be formed in the assemblies with participation of all parties and all process should be open & transparent .A system to monitor proper utilization of the assistance must be developed prior to disbursement of the funds under this economic assistance. RTI law (Right to Information)must be enforced.

The most effective way to help the country is to establish the system of accountability through independent Judicial/Police system. The money is enough to spend on providing education to all by establishing proper schools and teachers nationalizing all Madrassas under govrnment control with acquiesence of religeous establishment and converting them into boarding schools.
Do not put money in black holes. Nothing works, whether infrastructure/dams/ energy whatever. The only countries survive who have justice/acountability among themselves and educate themselves to stay out of ignorance. Even if we are poor we will still prosper and progress as long as justice and accountability prevails.
So i would put all the money and resources in education and judicial system.

What at once comes in my mind is Education.
Our people are conciously made illetrate by the most political leaders,who in their minds are people who are the reason of their existence.Its just the mindset under which their whole life is spend and then telling their children to do the same and never be saying no to anything their disreputable heads say.We are argumenting because we all have been educated,we can talk about policies and strategies the rest of the population cant.Its a fact that approxamately half of the parliament is winning their seats from their circles for decades,i have no reservation if they will have these seats for even a century further but in return of the owed duties they promise loudly in public addresses.
Education is the seed of an aware,better and moving Pakistan.

This money if ever released by USA should be spent on those who have suffered the most in this war on terror. This should not become the income of those who had been spilling blood of pashtuns for getting dollars from USA.

Acknowledging the fact that $1.5 Billion/year is not a small amount IF spent properly without any dishonesty.

What we really need is some institution to make sure that not even a penny is wasted.

In my opinion the funds could be spent in the following order.

1. Energy Sector (Nuclear & Other Sources)
2. Education
3. Infrastructure
4. Development of NWFP & Baluchistan

What do u mean by non-military aid…Pakistan and rest of de world are partners in this war against terror aren’t we ?. We have already sacrificed lots of our people in this war remember the word “SACRIFICE” which means sacrificed for safety of WEST. There should be nothing as non-military….., help us out in this war or we are not fighting …we can do many other peace deals with militants to ensure our own safety but what abt u ?????? so if u want us to fight please finance us for it ….

Building hope.
Removing uncertainities.
Opening markets for free bilateral trade.

Be rest assured, there is no need of aid. All what is needed is Freedom.

Building a strong nation which can define the future of the world in this new century of Change.

A free Pakistan playing the pivotal role of building a cooperative world based on co-existance can define the strategic road map for the economic survival of the world.

Please let it happen.

I very much agree with Maqbool Rehman. Let the foreign agencies/country decide where to spend the fund (they are serious about getting the mass in Pakistan spending the funds for the education, the lack of which prompt a lot of people to choose the wrong path like Ajmal Kasab etc). If they have good education, where there is a population who can compete with the world mass, then the most of the unrest can be solved promptly. Like everybody on earth understand the common, educated man in pakistan dont want to have the Shariah law to be enforced in its soil, one can stand up against the bad elements like they did it for the restoration of the CJ. The act was acknowledged by the entire world. But one would have noticed that Minister Qurraishi’s comment that the US should not put forth any precondition for the monetary aid. What does that mean? Will he be in a position to explain it to atleast his own countrymen?

FIVE REGIONAL CITIES OF PAKISTAN should be upgraded with in the provinces in the country. Regional cities of Dera Ismail Khan in NWFP, Gawadar/ Qalat in Balouchistan, Sukkar/Larkana in Upper Sind, Jehlam/ Rawalpindi and Multan in Punjab province. These regional cities have been ignored by the federal and provincial governments although these cities have their own history, culture and languages.Dera Ismail Khan in south of Pakhtunkhwa/NWFP is under siege, Multan/DG Khan in south of Punjab is next target of religious extremists, Sukkar/ Larkana is being rule by criminals, Gawadar/ Qalat is trouble some. The people of these regions have to travel to provincial capitals for every small issue and requirement of the daily life which should be provided in nearby cities. A good number of population travel to big cities for their survival to earn livelihood as the local feudal own majority land and keep the common man as their slaves. Creation of regional government and upgrading of the regional cities will save a lot of money and time of the poor people of these regions. Circuit benches of the High Courts are already working in these areas and only requirement is the additional staff of different departments involved in additional work at the provincial capitals. The concern authorities should immediately consider to upgrade the regional cities. And immediate attention should be given upgrade/build the airports,TV station, civic center, libraries,hospitals, educational institutes and investment opportunities for Pakistanis living abroad and foreign firms to create jobs in the area as majority population in rural Pakistan do not have enough resources to survive. It’s remind me the condition of pre Islamic revolution of Iran in Shah time when the rural Iran was ignored and the capital Tehran was developed in a way to call it Paris of Middle East with modern life style. Couple of other big cities like Isfahan and Caspian sea was taken care of because of foreign tourists but rural area was ruled by cruel police and intelligence. Then what happen rural population supported the Islamic revolution and moved to Tehran and other big cities later on. The new government after revolution developed, built and upgraded the rural areas of Iran accordingly. A fund to upgrade/build these regional cities in Pakistan should be introduced by public and private sector and Pakistani government, our foreign friends and Pakistanis living abroad may be asked to participate in this development mission in the country.

KHWAJA AFTAB ALI, (former secretary, Iranian embassy, Saudi Arabia,1979-88) Advocate High Court & I.P. Attorney-first & the only Pakistani lawyer who earned Intellectual Property laws scholarship in USA,presently residing in Florida, USA. all_languages@hotmail.com

Until we take concrete steps towards promoting education, we will be asking money from everywhere to boost our economy. Economic growth is linked with top quality education and skilled work force. Let not spend this money to buy armani suits, but to spend on education, as we lack innovations and are trailing behind Bangladesh.

Higher Education commission has even stopped funding higher studies, so the question is then why do we even need HEC and the staff who are working there?

The Aid offer should be refused with thanks, our freedom and Sovereignty is not on sale.

If they are so concerned about uplifting of the socio-economics of the tribal region then they should announce favorable trade concessions for products originating from the tribal region the region will develop on its own.

Give the money to our security agencies who in turn can train more Taliban and other militants so that more trouble is caused everywhere and more aid can come in to fight these elements.

From the comments it is clear…

Top priority area: education (high quality)
Preferred method of lending: through private sector
Selection of entities: through clear plan for utilization of provided funds

I am putting my vote in the same box…

For those who believe there is a dark before dawn then how long is the dark for many African countries and if the dark can be so long then we (i.e. international community) must do something to shorten this dark anywhere and everywhere.

Pakistan is now in a poverty–> exteremism –>poverty vicious cycle that needs to be stopped through some external intervention, sustained by internal efforts!

If Pakistan has to survive it has to come out of the iron fists of USA; get away from war of terror . Pakistan must stand on its OWN FEET; learn to live within its own means. Pak govt should trim and get rid of army of ministers. If you down size the govt machinery nothing will happen. Donor countries should put all that money of $50 bills in helicopter and shower over Pakistan every province and this way poverty will be eliminated and not through the corrupt and inefficient government. Long Live Pakistan, Amen.

Education, Education and more Education. This is key to changing to face of our nation!!

Many hanks to DAWN for taking opinion on this subject.

First of all, let me understand my country (PAKISTAN) who is having 5th largest gold mine, 7th largest copper mine, 7th with nuclear capability, having 6th largest army, 11th largest wheat producer and 12th rice producer (do still need to beg IMF and aid from US)????????

I was reading comments from my pakistani and indian friends and I praised to see comments from my indian friends who wrote with all their sincerety and want to see pakistan on rise because neighbouers can not be replaced.

In my opinion, first of all we both the countries should stop hating each other and live with peace and to make path of prosparity within both the countries and when I said peace it means peace not within the people of both the countries but peace with both the governments and specially within (ISI and RAW) because any blast takes in any side of border, after two or three days we also listen its reflection on other side of border as well. SO STOP maligning each other and work for mutual interest.

Coming back to the given topic, my sincere opinion is that to ask government of pakitan to give plan to US, and US should apoint local true, and well known non governmental personqalities as their representatives to monitor the investment, should not let go to government accounts and also US should make them responsible and accoutable for this money other wise they will be taken in international court for any misuse of this fund….

This aid should be utilized for the improvement of EDUCATION, ELECTRICITY, AGRICULTURE, INDUSTRIES, HEALTH CARE and on other basic needs of common people.
Great care should be taken that this money does not end up in the bank accounts of greedy political masters.

Country has lost more than 36 billion dollars for fighting for American war on terror and a meager help of few billion dollars from uncle Sam will be insufficient to cover the loss.

Use money to STOP Taliban first.
They are coming . Read this
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/14/world/asia/14punjab.html?hp

Revamping the law enforcement agencies. The police needs to be made stronger to deal with security threats that don’t bring city life to a standstill as a result of terrorist threats. We have all seen what has happened in Lahore and Islamabad.

Terrorist and extremist acts should face a ZERO TOLERANCE policy. The government is just being too politically correct trying to please different sectors of the political ideology, and in the process avoiding the core issues, which are worsening.

Education and employment. People recruited for terrorist acts are more or less the uneducated and unemployed. Progressive education needs to be introduced, not just stuck up in the state propaganda especially against ‘enemies’ of Pakistan instilling hatred.

I would suggest the following:-
1. The areas which has suffered due to terrorism should get priority over the developed areas.
2. The infrastructure destroyed, the schools burnt and people affected should be helped.
3. Rural Health services , water supply and small electricity projects should be undertaken.

As always we Pakistani’s claim utmost pride with our palms hanging out. The US should not give Pakistan any aid. Our incredibly intelligent leaders government and opposition alike have just signed Sharia into law. Are they truly out of their minds or is this a new level of evil even for them. Negotiating with Taliban is like negotiating with wolves with a promise that they will give up eating sheep. Not gonna happen. We lost East Pakistan in 1971. In 2009 we have lost NWFP. Islamabad is next.

The aid should be used in putting up industrial units using our agricultural raw materials so that Pakistan can become self sufficient in Food and export the same.
Today world is suffering from shortage of food and this would make people of pakistan self sufficient, create jobs, make economy better and pay off our loans.

Pakistan should never rely on the US in the long run and the only way to get out of this is to,

1. To invest most of the help in Thar Coal thermal power plants (as without power no industry and development). For God’s Sake Pakistan is setting on the 2nd largest coal reserves in the World!!

2. Invest heavily in economically deprived areas like NWFP, Balochistan and the FATA and PATA in particular. As without economic development and social justice don’t expect any development.

3. Straighten up the justice system and pull out of the bureaucratic red tapisim as most of the attacks against the state are frustration against the system rather than terrorism.

Strengthen institutions and institutionalize justice to counter massive corruption that gnaws at the very foundations of our society. Institutions like ombudsman should be made active and effective to ensure administrative justice. Reforms in all major sectors–education, police, health, taxation and so on and so forth–are a must.

I think the best way to spend the bheek…oops I mean “AID” is to keep it out of the pockets of our Politicians, agencies and other opportunists who have always managed to siphon off all the Bheek oops I mean Aid in the past….any social projects will do…just Dont let them buy more surrey mansions, shore up the swiss accounts and buy more ranches in the US…

I heard that Pakistan is trying to open 2 new nuclear facilities with the amount of $2.4 billions with the help of China.

What my question is one hand Pakistan is urging for Financial Aid from Friends and allies and otherhand it is trying to create nuclear weapons. Pak is saying that it is in financial turmoil and depending on other countries for survival. At the same time Pak is able to spend money on nuclear weapons. How it is possible? Is it using Military/Non-military aid on weapons?

Even Foreign fund coming, why Govt have to accept blowing the schools? Assume that using this fund schools are re-built, is it guaranteed that Taliban or any other militants wont blow up?

My advise is buy modern equipment like lie detectors and clean security agencies first. Then get rid of Taliban and militents from the country. then start building the schools, hospitals, technical/ocational training etc. Inspect the Madarsahs, what they are teaching, Put the examination to the mullahs, who should study humanity, socialism, before they start speeches. I heard that Mullahs behave like businessmen now a days.

I will tell him three things:

1. People of Pakistan deserve at least 10 billion dollars a year for at least 5 years.

2. There must be no benchmarks or conditions attached to the aid. Otherwise, it will increase ill will between the two countries instead of good will.

3. Not a single cent should be spent through the corrupt politicians or bureaucrats in Islamabad. It should be disbursed directly to the people. It will otherwise meet the fate of the 12 billion given since 2001 that nobody knows where it went.

Dear John Kerry,
Please meet our educated industrialists, businessmen, educationists, physicians and scientists if you want to spend this money in a wise manner. They would tell you where to spend this money and how to get faster and effective results. If you gave a blank check to this administration in Pakistan, they would do nothing but waste it on their own security, palaces and luxuries. I request you to please please consider this as a sincere plea and meet the true hard working dedicated brains in Pakistan and not these illiterate and brainless politicians. You will not only save Pakistan from self destruction but earn the respect and love this country once showed for US in the past.

We need this Aid to be spent on areas like infrastructure, education, healthcare and transfer of industrial technology so that we become independent on making value added products which the world will buy from Pakistan. We cannot just rely on agricultural economy. For example, if we had modern technology we would be able to make food products, value added products at an affordable prices for the world to buy. We can’t keep giving same aid to the same people who will do nothing but pocket 90% of it and rest would be spent on lies and deceit. I am a US citizen and I would be disappointed if my tax money goes wasted on this new adventure.

The GOP has abdicated from educating its youth.
Therefore a well funded private/public partnership for education , basic health and nutrition will go a long way in stabilizing the fast eroding writ of the government. Hurdles created by bureaucrats can be offset by an oversight by the donors and members of civil society. First two years should be spent just on capacity building to be able to absorb the incoming aid in these sectors. Starting with clear vision and mission and harmonizing the action plan to that end.. Health and education sectors generate the most jobs in a short time as there seems to be no end to the burgeoning population.

For decades there has been a steady and deliberate transfer of wealth from the agriculture to the industrial sector, in the bargain there has been a massive shift of population to the urban areas creating urban poverty as well as unrest. Let us take education and health services to the rural areas with the help of this one time aid. Let us rejuvenate not only agriculture but also the small farmers. Let the small farmer have some excess money to invest in his children’s health and agriculture technology to boost his productivity.

adding another thought- Bring projects that see employment in the poor parts of the country. These young guys join these jihadis due to no employment.

create jobs (sustainable) through projects in the troubled areas.

Shut down all Madarasas and start by building schools that educate citizens towards knowledge that benfits them in having a future life— and not hatred and religious zealotry.

Education, Education, Education this is how it should be prioritized.

Asif Zardari should not be the custodian of this money for obvious reasons pls.

Only if dawns upon us all that making weapons to kill innocents in the name of peace and liberation is nothing but a facade for indulging in violence.
Why not have dialogues and talks,treaties and understanding?
WMDS massacares millions of innocents.Right?
Why not do away with all WMDS once and for all?
Violence breeds violence.
Why spend on it?
Why not for the progress,prosperity and peace for Pakistan and worldwide?
What we see even now nothing much is being done for the uplift of the poor,instead the facilities are for the rich not poor.
Why have facades?
Deeds are louder then words ,so why not show something that you have done so far for the awaam ie people.
Only if people take out one fifth from their profits that would wipe off poverty.
If you do it honestly no haira pheri.

Thank you for providing the opportunity to write on this great topic which was boiling in my head since 1993. Pakistan is a country full of resources and full of hard working intelligent people. There are however, problems which may need to be taken care of. Corruption and pride in corruption is the base of the problem. The amount of aid may not be insufficient if utilized properly in creating sustainable resources. We have had billions coming in during Zia-ul-Haq era but went into filling the bellies of the rich. I remember being flooded once and never saw a drop of water in my home coming from anywhere. Now when I look back I see a clear picture that all the aid came through well connected people and thus only remain at that level. The eight of us spent the long winter nights in one comforter drenched in rain water under the left over roof. The flood has created a very pathetic situation. There was no sanitation or proper drinking water. We were probably laughed by the donors and the connected people who for themselves and their close relatives got more than enough by keeping our part as well. I wonder how such people get to sleep at night. To go forward, I propose the following:

1) The funds must be utilized properly and with transparency. The money must be spent wisely. I believe we do not need 10 billion a year to make progress. We need to identify sincere people and have x-pat keep an eye on the spending. All spending must be accounted for dollar for dollar on a daily basis and be posted online on a weekly basis. We must put proper check and balance on spending.

2) Energy and education: We need to establish energy resources. Quality education is a must for both male and female. Built schools and libraries and create scholarships and create exchange opportunities for the students at a local level as well as province level. Arrange tours for the students and parents to allow them to see that there is life out there.

3) Create jobs now and for the future so people can be independent and not at the mercy of militants.

4) Stop drone attacks because, you can not make friends by attacking them but get them on your side and the menace of militancy will go away. These people are good in friendship and will easier to get them on our side once we put proper people in place.

5) Increase security by providing suitable technologies to the army.

6) Surveillance may not be a bad idea to create check and balance. This could be controversial but needed.

7) Money should not be disbursed through Arbabs, Malaks, politicians or vedaras and must reach the needy. These people may be purchased at additional cost but not ask them to police and handle the disbursement.

8). One can not impose conditions on a region which has seen violence for centuries and expect that the violence will stop just by putting conditions on them. People need to get educated first before you can expect a change. One needs to invest first and then expect return. This investment may require a generation.

10) Provide pens and books instead of guns and bullets. Please some one get up and help the century old problem by educating the people of the region. Please take a step and provide security and show them a different life style. Please show them air condition in summer and heating in winter. Please help show them alternate better life and make them believe that better life exist. I know how it is like to be growing up there. I know how hard it is to be some one living in such areas where in summer it is hard to breath, read or write. Candle light may sounds romantic until you try to use it for studying in hot summer where mosquitoes feeding on your blood and you drenched in your wet clothes form sweat. There is much more needed than said but this should provide a good start.

Senator Kerry should insist on spending all the civilian aid on EDUCATION in Pakistan.I suggest the following should be done about education:
First of all it is the mindset of the planners that has to be corrected. I hear the emphasis is on general education to be introduced in the MADRESSAH as if the education otherwise in other institutions is right. This is far from so.
A team of religious teachers should be raised all over the country. These teachers go to various schools and give one hour compulsory religious education to all levels at least two sessions of classes each week. Each district and city to have a few teachers and they go round.
With this system adapted the extremism and the terrorism will disappear.

did zardari mention to the americans that pakistan has cut back spending on health, education etc to fund the war on terror ? or that exporters now have to pay higher premium of insurance or how it will take a generation to clear pakistan image?

1) open 4 free or heavily subsided hospital specialising in preventive medicine and maternity and 16 colleges in Quetta and Peshawar
2) Rebuild the destroyed areas such as bajur agency so IDP can move back home
3) Train Our police force to create a new unit of armoured commandos which can be rapidly deployed , to protect economic and infrastructure units. The terrorist walking unchallenged into bruner is unacceptable
4) Increase Police pay thought out the country after all the job is getting more riskier
5) All unis in pakistan must teach in urdu not english
6) open a special college to train civil servants because the current batch are idiots
7) Open Factories to create employment in particularly in NWFP and Balouchistan
8). Make sure all troops wear bullet proof vest on the eastern border
9) Create A network of tax agents who make sure everyone pays tax

Beggars are not choosers.

Americans will spend this money same way as they have spent last 10 billion for us. So on papers we have received that 10 billion but in reality that money is transferred from one US banks account to another US bank account i.e. American government’s bank account to American consultancy firm bank account.

What have we received? Few “gora” consultant, their clumsy reports and unlimited international humiliation.

I think we must say NO to this aid.

All 16 points i have mentioned will require more than 100 billion$. Therefore, say good bye to US aid and get help from chinese to build these projects, dont get cash from them but get their expertise and soft loans to complete, a prime example is Gwadar and nuke plants in Chashma.

Plus as a nation we should show dignity and refuse US aid, learn from iran to live as a dignified nation

1) increasing number of universities in our country to target 35% of pakistanis going to universities
2) create “FAST” rail and road insfrastrucute in our country where there is non available, like gilgit, FATA, baluchistan
3) Create nuclear, wind mills and small scale dams in our country
4) create ship building industry for international market
5) mine coal for coal based powerplants, like khar (increase productivity)
6) introduce genetically alterated foods in pakistan to increase productivity and resistant to disease
7) purify and store more oil through oil refinaries to coup of breakdown in world oil market
8). provide universal health servies to every pakistani national in pakistan based on systems in canada or europe
9) create more waste sewer cleaning plants and provide clean water to every pakistani
10) make our taxation system more transparent
11) work on to eliminate corruption out of judiciary
12) make sure we create rail road links to china, afghanistan, iran and india to increase our transit trade income.
13) not but least, increase the wages of every govt official based on increase in inflastion in pakistan to avoid corruption
14) give ethics classes to each and every pakistani so not to indulge in class race based on money (legacy system of britishers)
15) Give thorough understanding of Quran to every pakistani through class 1 till 12 completing whole quranic translation once to avoid our religion being hijacked by so-called muslims.
16) in big cities create metro train systems (subways) to avoid congestion of traffic. overhead trains in karachi like chicago and undergound in lahore/faisalabad, multan and rawalpindi

1. infrastructure that is resistant to climate (i.e. proper drainage system for roads to avoid flooding and deterioration of streets during monsoon season)

2. more organized and accessible public transportation (with PROPER security check- pakistanis have a tendency to be lazy) for workers living outside of cities

3. improve education- but also increase salaries and/or improve contracts with teachers to abolish and prevent teacher absenteeism- what’s the point of building a school if the teachers aren’t going to show up? This is a huge issue in Pakistani- especially in towns and outskirts of main cities-where terrorist organizations tend to recruit their frustrated, impoverished and desperate followers.

4. security for civilians- someone mentioned security cameras, which is a good idea, but security needs to go beyond that.

5. electricity available for households while also keeping reasonable and sustainable goals that are environmentally healthy.

Unfortunately, although education is extremely important and THE tool to end and prevent terrorism, at this point, all problems that I mentioned above are inextricably linked and need to be recognized.

We will divide the aid among party members! Well, Pakistanis already know how to survive! Motto of the leadership! Now what is next question?

Education, Healthcare. provision of clean water and electricity obviously are issues to be addressed; however it will take years before the effects of addressing them is reflected on the state of militancy.

What is needed immediately is a huge PR effort to attenuate the religiosity in which the country is awash and counter the rabid and false image of Islam that the savages i.e. Taliban and their supporters are spreading, through programs on the radio and TV, establishing powerful stations that can beam their message of tolerance day in and day out and rebutting the poisonous teachings of the Mullahs. It is a long shot but just might slow down the inexorable descent into hell.

Why is Pakistan always depending on aid? it is shameful to my mind to be demanding largese from others as a matter of course.

The aid should help Pakistan’s energy problem. It should go into R&D to help make Pakistan energy independent and use its blessed resources. Pakistan has tremendous wind, solar, and bio fuel potential and should utilize them to be the a technologically advanced country in the 21st century. Pakistan should manufacture wind turbines and solar panels not only for domestic purposes but also to export them.

Pakistanis are living in denial. They cannot face the fact that their state is in danger. Their economy is on life support. Their government controls ever decreasing amounts of territory. Their nuclear assets remain under the control agencies who are suspected to be filled with a disturbing number of jihadists. And when they do acknowledge any of these items, they knowingly confide that these are the results of interference by India, America or even Israel. In no way, is Pakistan itself responsible for its own predicament. Pakistanis needs to end the denial, and focus on what is in plain view. They need to start experiencing the outrage at what is going on in their country. The rest of the world is.

http://dailyexception.com/2009/04/05/pakistan-determined-to-remain-in-denial/

Well it is nice to read so many comments every body has made his/her point. I suggest this money should go to education, energy and security.

1) Up-to-date education specially technical education like 3-5 years of work and education programs that create not only academics but also skilled work force.
2) Energy, sun,water and air. We need to realize we have abundance of these things but we are not utilizing it. Need to work on solar and wind energy, bio gas. its important to overhaul irrigation system.
3) security i mean internal security police need to be equipped. need to make central data system for criminals, all court decision should be available through data bank. It is important to maintain records of all people in the country through NADRA. From birth to death local/muncipal councils should keep this record in co-operation with Nadra. With change in address local councils should be notified and through registration it would be easy to control many things.

Firstly, I reproduce here the EXACT PHRASE used by a Pakistan reader in the discussion forums of Dawn a few days ago where he had stated that “BEGGARS CAN’T BE CHOOSERS”.

However, I must say that I don’t subscribe to that statement just as most Pakistanis and their leaders are, who proudly claim at every opportunity (and rightfully so) that Pakistan is not a banana republic, but a nuclear armed nation of 160 million people, with the world’s third largest army.

Add to this the fact that unlike the poor African or Latin American countries, Pakistan has the financial backing of rich Arab countries whose aid most comes with no strings attached.

Therefore, my suggestion to Pakistan would be:

a) Please do NOT compromise your honor by begging the west for aid, but
b) try to manage the inequalities within the country be ensuring that areas like Baluchistan, FATA, SWAT get their due share in proportion to the wealth generated by these areas through their rich natural resources that are currently being devoured by the other politically powerful regions like Punjab and Sindh.

Only by following this approach will you have the inalienable right to claim that Pakistan is indeed no push-over, and that you stand firmly on your own two feet; failing which, I must say that it becomes difficult to disagree with our Pakistani friend.

Pakistan should learn how to stand on her own feet without any foreign crutches.

Every body loves money, but self respect is more important.

If Mr. Kerry is giving us money with assurance that no conditions are attached as well as no dictation would follow, then I suggest this money should be spent on the following:
Building Dams, quality education to everyone, improved health care to all, improving road arteries and more free ways all across Pakistan, technical education, improved measures for the population control, and policing improvement etc.

In the end, I would request Mr. Kerry that Pakistan be supported through foreign investments which is better than financial help.

The majority of the Aid money should be spent on establishing an Educational infrastructure. The Pakistani govt does not even know what is taught in their schools, or what the children learn. No other country that has a stable government, that we know of, allows that to happen. Ridiculous.

Madrassas should require a license to stay open. Establish a uniform curriculum with Science, Math, and Unbiased History. Beef up the Engineering colleges. Require your Madrassas to be accredited with an Educational Body that has the authority to audit these curricula, including unannounced surprise visits that quiz the students on what they learn on a daily basis.

Audit your textbooks. Do they really teach authentic history, or are they really propaganda to indoctrinate the children?

Any Madrassas that fail to comply should be shut down and their license revoked.

Think about this — the Indians established Engineering Colleges like the IITs long ago, and that, in spite of the population growth, was the single factor that catapulted India into the Knowledge Elite countries of the world.

The rest of the money should be spent on infrastructure and job creation, but unless Pakistanis invest in education as their first priority, they are doomed. They will become the Somalia of Asia.

Dear Fund holder
Please address the current issues our beloved country is facing:-

1 Security issues (By installing visible and hidden Cameras at imortant check points)backed up by dedicated special security force in all major cities. Police should be used more effectively rather than creating problems for ordinary peaple. Imroving the commuication and coordination od our work security forces.

2.Devoloping Electricity (Nuclear reactor, building new dams to meet next 30 years requirement. Improving the state of current Dams and Canals for better irrigation system in the country.

3.Research and technology

Thank you

Pakistan is not a small banana republic, it’s nuclear armed nation of 165 million people. It needs a “Marshall Plan”, to help economic development to root out poverty, which has lead to extremism and terrorism. A mere $1.5 billion though welcome, is not enough, as real need is for atleast $10 billion annually for the next five years.
Even this is small, compared to hundreds of billions of dollars, the US has spent in Iraq and Afghanistan annually. This assistance should be transparent and managed by NGOs and foreign agencies, for maximum benefit to the people of Pakistan. Yes, education is necessary but that is long term, healthcare is urgent, but poverty allevation, job creation projects are needed immediately. A word for military assistance, to fight and beat the tough extremists and terrorists infesting the vast rugged mountains along Pak-Afghan border, US should provide assistance for rapid deployment of forces, which require helicopters, night vision scopes etc. These
have been promised, but have been slow in coming. Lastly, Pakistan has suffered more casualties in the war on terror, than any other country, let the world note that, and fully support this front-line nation to combat this threat to the world.

I was reading all the remarks by my Pakistani friends and saw that the people realize that the issue is internal. Atleast we have that part correct, second being keep the govt out of it. What I don’t understand is the fact that if the people were against the govt why don’t they mass protest like the Thai protesters to get the govt to resign. A govt without people’s support is like an orphan.

US aid should be in the form of education-right.

Pakistan should institute a RTI law (Right to Information). This was recently passed in India and the effect is ground-breaking. Wherever you spend the aid amount, as long as it is transparent and any citizen can access the information, it will be ensured that it is not used to line up some corrupt politician’s pocket.

first of all,
the aid must be used to buld infrastructure priojects not on developing beaurecracy.power shortages are a paiful reality the aid should be used to gas and coal ower plants in short term and kalbagh dam in long term and if possible alternative energy sources.again the empahasis must be o infrastructures schools universities etc .this is the only way aid would be useful otherwise no need for aid as it will go in pocket of corrupt politicians

Standardize lower education

Provide Microloans to boost cottege industry tied to traditional education of chilren (to compete with Madrassa funds from Saudi)

Invest in propaganda against talibanization.

To get all these to fly – invest in security.

Previous funds channeled to Pakistan through various aid agencies eventually ended up in the hands of agencies. The net result is abject poverty in many sections of the Pakistani society leading to terrorism breeding ground. If the new aid has to benefit the poor Pakistani public, the aid agencies should ask the Pakistan Government to submit its plans to an expert committee made up from the donor countries. All the bidding process should be vetted by the committee so that every transaction is above the table. Even with all these safety nets, we can’t say that it will be 100% corruption free; but it will be much better than allowing the corrupt Pakistani politicians and agencies to manage the show.

As long as corrupt politicians are in the office, not even $40 billion will be able to help Pakistan. These people have deep stomachs – perfectly able to digest billions and still crave for more. The money given by the US will go in a black hole without a trace. Mark my words!

The best strategy for the USA???? Stay out of Pakistan. Let Pakistan solve its problems on its own, let the Pheonix rise from the ashes…. there is always dark before the dawn.

Education no doubt, as others have put it quite nicely. The only thing I’d like to add onto it is when I say (but perhaps rest would agree) education I/we mean up to date education. There are lots of new fields emerging that we could concentrate on. However we are a developing country who seems to have skipped the “sciences – stage” and that is why we are in this borrowing cycle. When ever we need a new tech we approach another country. Perhaps we should be looking into training our country.

Just a few points to note:
1) Information Technology is not everything. We focused very much on this field following the trend. I think we have enough I.T. labour as it is but because we lack everything else the local I.T is useless and all it ends up doing is making more websites (in this situation). And ofcourse we rely on contracts from abroad which again are mostly commercial and not revolutionary.

2) New fields need to be picked up now. We tend to ignore Physics and Mathematics and the default sciences which is ridiculous. These are solid fields and most fields use these basic sciences at their core.

3) Probably the most important. Teachers need to be paid more I think but at the same time they need to be scrutinized more. If that happens we would attract intelligent people if not geniuses from our own country, who would want to follow healthy research careers in affiliation with good local universities. In turn benefiting our own country and avoiding brain drain.

4) We seem to be obsessed with our country’s defences. So perhaps fields that can be aligned more towards benefiting our forces (for e.g : nuclear programmes, aeronautics, nano tech, electronics) should be promoted.

5) Utilizing the budget DOES NOT mean constructing more ghost schools with ghost staff. Spend it where its appreciated and where its useful.

6) Stop recruiting P.A.s and secretaries in the Government offices. You have enough CHOTA’s, CHOUKIDAARS, BAWARCHEES and DRIVERS. Horrendous waste of budget.

The basic idea is to create a stimulating environment for Pakistani’s otherwise the brain drain will continue and the lack of a revolution will persist.

Its the same story for the last sixty years. We will not pay tax because we dont know where the money goes. Weeks before Musharaff left office Shaukat Aziz (the imposed PM) said we have $13billion reserves. The all of a sudden we were in need of foreign exchange. where did the money go? If you want us to pay taxes bring the culprits to justice before you come to us.

Dear Sir,

In the light of track record of present day rulers, It is obvious that like most of our citizens, the donors have many doubts on the honest utilization of these funds by the rulers and other politicians alike.

I would want that these funds be made available to civil soceity organizations that have clearly identified short and long term sustaible development targets for the regions in which they operate and show transparency and accountability in their oprating procedures.Please see such an an example on the website:
http://www.kadohunza.org/hdf

For the last 62 years, this aid has been feeding corrupt, incompetent leaders. It will be better, if people of Pakistan bring in a revolution that will result in a system, whereby competent and professional run the country with NO aid money. I think this will be welcomed by a majority of Pakistanis.

Don’t let the government/agencies have any part of this. Let the foreign aid agencies decide, distribute and audit.

1. Education
2. Infrastructure
3. Job Opertunities

these 3 will compliment each other and create a self sustaining system which will
alleviate poverty, radicalisation and resentment among the locals.

Kerry needs to insist upon his meeting with the Pakistani leadership to ensure that the money is spent on the said projects without corruption and personal favours to own people.

Otherwise no matter how much money s invested and no matter how many good projects are introduced all will be wasted and end result will be zero.

money which come through aid the politicians will keep most of it and what ever left is going to be distributed by these Govt agencies in which most of it goes in bribe rest to no where this how it is done so I can only be able to recommend only one thing that what ever the aid goes to Pakistan should be spent by third party with oversight and accountability attached to it.
We should have the infrastructure fixed education free for all health and food subsidiary programs as far as law and order we can dream only.

Education, infrastructure, create more jobs for people in cities as well as villages, these could be related to technology, finance, agriculture , import-export. Thats the most important thing and focus. Secondly, invest in security to eliminate taliban . Dont allow talibans and supporters to preach in local mosques and influence more people. Make people aware that peace, education is the path to go ahead and not violence in name of jihad.Start focussing on internal issues, and stop pointing fingers at india,afghanistan and how US is wrong attaching conditions to aid.

We dont trust our leaders so any civilen aid should be distributed by a commaty of USA citizen, this 1.5 billion should be given directly to the very poor people of pakistan to by Home & land or start small business.

Hope every pakistani will agree with me

Spend all moeny to Education, it is the only way towards prospersity. By educating masses we can get rid of this talibization. By educating we can create good economists, scientists,doctors, engineers as well as good human beings.

I understand education and health takes top priorities but how? There should be political control and infrastructure required. Knowingly or unknowingly Pakistan harbored terrorism and its paying the price now. The Aid should be spent to dismantle terrorism to the root level unless things cannot be achieved. Do not allow terrorist to take control believe in your Govt. and support them. Keep military away from making decision. Humongous task ahead Good Luck.

The aid should be spent to create schools that have been blown up by Taliban. Need to spend money to launch a MASSIVE “anti-extremism” media campaign to shut out their influence. Also purchase strong radio jammers to jam all Taliban sermons on radio.

1-Education
2-Law and Order – I am surprised that no one has mentioned this big issue.
3-Health
4-Infrastucture improvements

Most importantly we need an audit mechanism to track the money. I don’t want all of this money to be transferred to a personal swiss account.

Dinesh, with respect I want to disagree with your idea of giving these politician another chance. We have already tried them several times but they never perform.

Firstly, I should be aware of what US or Senator Kerry needs in return.

My only advice in this regard is to setup an institution where we can develop efficient politicians. And after few years it should be mandatory for all to qualify from that institution before joining any political force. This might be the legal way to benefit existing politicians with this aid. They deserve it more than Pakistan. Pakistan Zindabad

We dont need aid! What we need is a debt for development swap. If we can save the resources we spend on debt repayment we can increase developmental spending and promote distributive justice. Like the Dutch Disease, Aid makes us dependent and every five years we make a round trip from where we started.

“The art of accurate observation is called cynicism by those who don’t have it”…I don’t know who said it but it’s relevant to what im about to say…
I would simply hand him back the ‘cheque’, saying “Thank you Mr.Kerry (Senator or whatever), for your offer to help but Pakistan would manage the war on its own as its in our best interest to bring peace”…well if i were the foreign secretary, i would get sacked, if i were the foreign minister i would lose my portfolio, but if i was a man (with some stature) who was about to go into elections, I would win a lot of votes. Why? Because that’s exactly what the people of Pakistan want. As I see it no Pakistani wants to take the aid as a quid pro quo for our sovereignty (which is slowly and steadily eroding, unless we take desperate measures). Besides, given the history of these aids, especially to Pakistan, I’ve come to the conclusion that they more so than not, serve as vested interest and policy tools of donors. I’m not saying that there are no or little benefit of such dole-outs, but they have come to bear so heavily on us that we’re now losing the most important tool of any sovereign, independent and elected government i.e. to make its own policy. Aid is good but self respect is better. Senator Kerry needs to do more this time.
And what is more…with such harrowing conditionalities…no way, we’re proud of the poverty as long as we’re free.

1. Learning from the past experiences, US must reorientate its aid donation policy to Pakistan. The practice must shift from capital lending to capital investment. Thus, instead of aid flow, aid utilization should be the area of focus. My recommendations are:-
a. Provincial Governments after due deliberation in the respective assemblies should identify the key areas of development and should propose the same to Federal Government.
b. The Federal Government should decide the priority and distribution of capital shares against provincial demands considering due share of all provinces with particular focus on FATA.
c. After having the parliamentary approval, the matter should be finally decided by the standing committee of Senate.
d. The final proceedings of all the projects coupled with the distribution of capital resources must be shared with the general public through media.
e. Overall objective should be to achieve a slow but sustainable industrial and agricultural coupled with provision of civic facilities and human resource development.
f. On part of US, International Agencies of high repute should monitor the capital utilization and project management without dictating the any developmental strategy.

I want to have this aid spent upon the interests of the nation.

First of all, it should be used to strengthen the educational structure in Pakistan. As education is the base of every kind of modernization and transformation, both good and bad.

Moreover, it should also be used to boost up the communication infrastructure in the country. By repairing roads in a ‘lasting’ way and constructing new roads, improving telecommunication and extend it’s radius, cutting down the costs of telephone, internet and other such services etc.

In general this aid should be utilized to improve the quality of life of the people. But I have my personal opinion that none of the above mentioned uses would be implemented by the government so that it could bring about a noticeable change as almost half [ i am being conservative !] of it will go down in the pockets of our politicians, as always….but one should hope for the best…

Education, of course! However, the respective provincial governments should be mindful that not all education is productive. In fact, some of it, as we now know all too well can be very destructive. A new universal curriculum based on critical thinking is the need of the hour! Simultaneously, the GoP should start competency based vocational training programs that ought also be founded on critical thinking oriented curriculum.

Though as Indian, I may not be welcome to comment on this issue, but few items can be decided to be collaborated with India. My suggestion will be for setting up of higher learning institutes like like IIT, IIM, AIMS and collaboration on agricultural research, tourism and small scale industries, traditional crafts and Cultural exchange.

I would like to see the money spent through micro finance initiatives on development projects run by the people, and not by the Government. The Government is like a diseased organism, where nothing is working properly.

If money is spent on education and development by a varied and large number of private entities, that would yield much better results in my opinion.

Education! Education! Education!

Just three suggestions
One – If possible, Keep out Army and Mullahs out from the decision making process to invest the money.
Two – If possible, think about the poorest of the poor – how is it going to help her/him.
Three – Have faith on decision makers (whoever those are) and don’t brand them corrupt – give them a chance to perform.
Maybe avoid word spending, use investing it to make your country happier place to live!

As long as 75% of the American aid is spent on education, scientific research, health, employment, social welfare and defence of the county, it will be fine. As long as the political thugs, dakus’, lottereys, chors and fraudsters do not steal it from country’s coffers; it could benefit the country’s economy but the past experience and records of politicians’ points to the opposite.

Every penny spent by the government must be recorded and made public so that accountability and transparency would be adhered and maintained at all levels.

Keep the money as far away as possible from the government. the international agencies should dole it out directly.

The history of terrorism speaks volumes of the fact that not unless a society’s overall psyche turns its collective conscience against the terrorists, the state and the government can do little on their own. The terrorists will always manage to survive, even thrive, in a society riddled with conspiracy theories and denials.

Education and, equally important, family planning.

I agree that Education should have greater spending world over.
But that lack of education and poverty is cause of terrorism is a myth for gullible. If it were so, our ancestors should have been blood-hounds.
All the 9/11 terrorist were well-educated and well off.
If it were true, people of Bhutan should be biggest terrorists and Africa the continent of dead..

Health, education, communication.

On education and health ONLY… we need to formulate a poper secular education policy and curriculum that is up to world standards. We need new schools everywhere in every district in every province, we need more teacher training colleges, and we need to offer our kids a free square meal for coming to school like they used to in europe… we need to educate our adults to read and write… we need to educate women on health issues and we need to open up these free meal giving secular schools right next to every madrassah!

Since tha Jihadis seem to hijacking many issues like education, it would be ideal if one starts with a non-controversial topic – Healthcare…

The deterioration of healthcare as well as the spiraling cost of drugs has meant that the common man has lost faith in the Govt’s ability to give him anything, much less protect him ( Lahore et al).. A part of the non military aid should be invested across the board on grassroots healthcare movements. Establishing more medical colleges as well as standardising the level of medical education given should also be a top priority.
When the common man gets ready access to drugs and medical care, a modicum of the lost trust in the Govt may return.. Today when the Taliban has started waging an all-out war to take over the very hand that once fed it, it becomes all the more imperative for the Pakistani govt to win the hearts and minds of its people.

Kindly invest this money in education, specially for women. Health is second most important issue. Stop demonising the rest of the world and dont spend big chunks of aid to the over full bellies of agencies, Army and mullahs of madrassas. You need to spend wisely because an aid is aid, not income.

Firstly, the money should NOT be distributed through the government. It should be made available as credit line/loans for investors in Pakistan at low interest rates. Investors can only utilize this facility for projects in important areas like water resources/hydro, thermal or wind/solar power, transport infrastructure etc.

Secondly, a significant portion of this should be utuilized in setting up of higher education institutes. These institutes would provide technical education with faculty drawn from national and international levels.

Thirdly, money should be spent on improving basic health facilities. Modern speciliased hospitals are required to support a growing population.

Whatever the way to spend this money, the Government should be kept out of getting its hands on this. There are plenty of NGOs that do the job efficiently in education and medicine. Let them avail these funds. Ditto the private sector and this should not be cronies of those in government.

Kerry should be advised not to lend a penny to the government unless they eliminate all the corruption and the Taliban sympathisers from within the government and the Army.
Also it will be an irony to know that Taliban are being supported by Americans. So locate the black sheep within themselves and the world at large. Taliban were not good to produce their food. How come they recruit so many people and ammunition and all the vehicles that they have? Whoever is supporting them must be first located and then eliminated.

Educate, Educate, Educate… the best way to fight terrorism is educating the poor and creating and providing jobs. A person with education and no job will steal, kill to feed a family since desperate times calls for desperate measures.

Pakistan needs a little aid with massive drift in US policy. An intelligent blend of both will definately boost stability of the country.

Upon sharing a cup of tea with John Kerry i would pay my regards for showing some concerns towards Pakistan by offering non-military aid nevertheless, i would like to ask him that – why is US reluctant in giving Pakistan military aid since Pakistan is a front ally in a war on terror. Is it because Indian lobby has shown it’s influence in Washington or US actually has some logic reason behind not assisting Pakistan from latest military technology ?

If Pakistan spends civilian aid in a constructive way and creates job opportunities and sports amenities for the youths both in tribal and settled areas that would reduce militancy. These youngster will do some useful work for themselves and support their families too.I am sure projects like these would attract Jihadis to return to normal lives. In this way, their own area would develop and create more opportunities for visitors and locals.

We should spend that money in the only logical area there is; Education and only Education. It’s because of this illiteracy we are on the verge of total collapse as a nation. It’s because of this illiteracy we have religious misinterpretation (which others call extremism). All our problems boil down to one single factor which is little or no education; Illiteracy. By education i dont merely mean to open enough schools or colleges. We have to implement a new system overall, change mindsets by changing what we teach at schools.

All US aid must be used for improving economic infrastructure and education.

Technical institutions must be established and skilled craftsmen must be created to cadre the need and also help them to seek employment overseas. Gulf states would require once the financial recession is eased to maintain their oil and gas facilities. We must avail the opportunity. Technical know-how and academic progress will put Pakistan to development course and we can shun away with terrorism.