New Delhi: The United States has temporarily suspended foreign assistance to Pakistan following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. This action has abruptly halted numerous projects funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), impacting various sectors, from cultural preservation to energy and health, according to the Geo news.
The suspension has notably affected the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), a flagship program supporting the protection of cultural heritage sites, artefacts, and traditional practices globally. The US Embassy in Pakistan states that the AFCP funds projects involving historic buildings, archaeological sites, museum collections, and indigenous languages and crafts.
According to an unnamed US Consulate official in Karachi reached by the Geo news, the aid suspension is a result of Trump’s executive order mandating a re-evaluation of foreign assistance. Five energy-related projects have also been halted including Power Sector Improvement Activity, Pakistan Private Sector Energy Activity, Energy Sector Advisory Services Project, Clean Energy Loan Portfolio Guarantee Program and Pakistan Climate Financing Activity.
Several other programs are impacted including four economic growth-related projects including the Social Protection Activity, as well as numerous health, agriculture, livelihood, and education projects. Funds for democracy, human rights and governance are also affected by Trump’s directive.
Concerns have emerged that some of these programs could be permanently discontinued or significantly reduced. The total value of the affected projects remains unclear, as there is no readily available information on the current annual aid amount from the US to Pakistan.
Pakistani officials have yet to confirm the suspension or its effects. Last week, US Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce, without explicitly mentioning Pakistan, stated that all foreign assistance funded by the State Department and USAID was paused for review, in line with Trump’s executive order.
“Consistent with President Trump’s Executive Order on Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid, Secretary Rubio has paused all US foreign assistance funded by or through the State Department and US Agency for International Development (USAID) for review,” he said in a statement.
Bruce emphasised that all US-funded initiatives must align with the goals of making America safer, stronger, and more prosperous, referencing statements made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “As Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said, ‘Every dollar we spend, every programme we fund, and every policy we pursue must be justified with the answer to three simple questions: Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Does it make America more prosperous?’” he said.
