ISLAMABAD: United States Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Daniel Feldman said yesterday that Pakistan-US ties were moving from aid-based to trade-based relationship.
“Speaking to a group of journalists at the US Embassy, he ruled out extension in Kerry-Lugar legislation under which Washington provided about $5bn in civilian assistance to Pakistan over the past five years. The Kerry-Lugar-Berman authorisation was for five years and wouldn’t be further extended,” he said.
The special envoy, however, said the US was trying to avoid a ‘precipitous decline’ in assistance funding for Pakistan and the executive would continue to request Congress for appropriations.
Under the aid legislation enacted by the Congress in 2009, the US was to provide $7.5bn in nonmilitary aid over five years to help the civilian government to deliver essential services. But, during the five years only $5bn could be committed.
“The relationship would change from assistance-based to trade,” he said and described the ties as ‘realistic, optimistic and productive’.
Although Feldman did not list the special steps being taken to transform the nature of relationship, he, in an Op-Ed piece, said “our partnership will also thrive through trade and investment.”
“The US is already Pakistan’s largest trading partner and source of foreign investment Expanding trade and investment will require improving Pakistan’s competitiveness and that is something which I am convinced we can accomplish together”.
He said people-to-people contacts were being incentivised to build on the base provided by the governments.
On Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan, he noted that the change in Afghan government had provided a ‘remarkably unique opportunity’ for regional stability.
Feldman, who had held a series of meetings at the Foreign Office and General Headquarters earlier in the day, called on ‘all stakeholders’ to seize the new opportunity.
He said ending terrorist safe havens on both sides of border would require sustained dialogue between Islamabad and Kabul through all channels, including military and intelligence.
He laid stress on solidifying the commitment to the principle of noninterference in internal affairs of Afghanistan.
INTERNEWS
