In a major blow to the debt-ridden Pakistan, the United States has paused aid through an executive order passed by President Donald Trump, Pakistani media Geo News reported citing an official at the US consulate in Karachi.
Without mentioning any country; Tammy Bruce, spokesman for the US Department of State, has also stated in this regard.
Prior to this, US had suspended Funding to Bangladesh after Trump Orders 90-Day Freeze on All Foreign Aid.
After the Donald Trump administration issued a “stop-work” order for all existing foreign assistance and pausing new aid, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) suspended its funding in Bangladesh.
“Reevaluating and Realigning” the foreign aid
Citing Trump’s executive order on “reevaluating and realigning” foreign aid, USAID issued a statement to Bangladesh directing them to immediately stop, cease, and suspend any ongoing work under its contract.
An internal directive from secretary of state Marco Rubio, issued shortly after President Donald Trump’s inauguration, emphasized an “America First” approach to overseas assistance.
According to the memo, the exceptions were only meant for emergency food, and military funding for Israel and Egypt.
This comprehensive directive impacts various aid categories, including development and military support, notably affecting Ukraine, which had received substantial weapons funding under the previous Biden administration during its defense against Russian forces.
The suspension also halts US funding for PEPFAR, the HIV/AIDS program providing anti-retroviral treatments in developing nations, particularly across Africa.
PEPFAR, established during George W Bush’s presidency in 2003, has preserved approximately 26 million lives and previously maintained broad bipartisan backing in Washington.
The directive specifically excludes military aid to Israel, whose US arms support has increased since the Gaza conflict, and Egypt, a recipient of substantial US defense funding since its 1979 peace agreement with Israel.
Rubio included provisions for US emergency food aid contributions, which have supported crisis-affected regions including Sudan and Syria. Democratic legislators highlighted that PEPFAR supports over 20 million individuals requiring medication, whilst US-funded anti-malaria initiatives assist 63 million people.
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