$1.5bn US aid conditions compromise sovereignty: The News

By Mansoor Ahmad

LAHORE: Economists, entrepreneurs and civil society are perturbed by the strings attached with $1.5 billion yearly US aid package for Pakistan that infringe on its sovereignty. They have urged the government not to compromise its dignity and adopt austerity instead.

They point out that the common man is unaware of the most insulting comments of the US public about Pakistan’s protest against the strings attached to the aid package proposed by the United States. The US public in comments carried on the media said things like beggars can't be choosers, if Pakistan does not like the conditions refuse the money, etc.

They point out that $1.5 billion looks big amount as the rulers and the nation even in present testing times are still indulged in unnecessary spending based on imported goods. They said that it is high time that the government take steps to curb all unnecessary imports and expenditures where foreign exchange is involved.

Leading engineering entrepreneur Almas Hyder said that once a country accepts unreasonable conditions for economic aid there is no end to the donors’ demands. He said economic aid could be linked to improvement of governance, equitable taxation but it could not be bracketed with political performance the parameters of which compromise the sovereignty of the country.

He said the country should go forth with stopping unnecessary imports. He said it looks criminal to import $26 million worth of dog food when human beings are starving in the country. He said Pakistan has highest per capita edible oil consumption in the world that should be curbed to bare minimum by duties on edible oil. He said there is no need to import chocolates, candies, processed juices, cosmetics, and luxury cars that could save more than $1.5 billion import bill. He said these measures would impact only 5 per cent of the privileged class of the country.

Senior economist Naveed Anwar Khan FCA said If Pakistan accepts strings attached with US aid package it would be at the mercy of the United States that would determine whether we have taken the steps according to its vision and satisfaction. He said the aid would always be uncertain and create more uncertainty in the economy than now.

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