New Partnership with Pakistan Act 2009 – An opportunity for educational institutions of Sindh to bring a positive revolution in Sindh
By Khalid Hashmani
The ENHANCED PARTNERSHIP WITH PAKISTAN ACT OF 2009 (Bill S. 1707) was passed by US Congress on October 1, 2009 and is awaiting President Obama’s signature. This legislation provides for $ 1.5 billion a year in US economic, social, and democratic development assistance to Pakistan for each of the next five years, starting 2010. The bill also authorizes military assistance in the context of counterinsurgency and counter terrorism efforts. Although the traditional exploiters of Pakistan have embarked on a mean-hearted campaign to secure changes that will enable them to control and siphon away much of the allocated assistance, the people of Pakistan, particularly the rural populations, have waited too long in the line as military consumes a major share of the country’s resources. Their undemocratic tactics to get changes in the Act to reduce monitoring and weaken the democratic rule will more than likely fail. However, if they once again succeed, the poor people of Pakistan would loose a great opportunity to alleviate poverty and improve health and education in rural areas.
Continue reading New Partnership with Pakistan bring a positive revolution in Sindh