Pakistan has received $1.114 billion under the Coalition Support Fund (CSF) in the current fiscal year 2010-11 while the amount released under Kerry-Lugar Bill by USA so far is $200 million despite its promise for $1.5 billion every year.
Alberto Rodriguez, Spokesman for the US embassy told Business Recorder here on Thursday, "The US has disbursed around $200 million of KLB money in the fiscal year 2010 (US fiscal year starts from October 2010 to September 2011). This does not include the money for flood relief, and does not include the regular assistance from USAID".
Kerry-Lugar bill focuses on economic development in Pakistan. It envisages 1.5 billion dollars per annum for five years and comes along with stringent conditions on how to distribute and invest this money, including some conditions that had angered Pakistan's military establishment.
Rodriguez further revealed that, "the disbursements made under Kerry-Lugar Bill also depend upon how the country complies with the certain conditions imposed by the Bill". Lieutenant Colonel Michael Shavers, Office of the Defence, Representative in Pakistan (ODR-P) from US Embassy told Business Recorder, "Since 2001, the US has reimbursed the Government of Pakistan approximately $8.88 billion under CSF; part of that was $1.114 billion in fiscal year 2010.
As a reminder, the Coalition Support Fund is not an "aid" programme and the reimbursement process is intended to reimburse Pakistan for expenses already incurred for its assistance to US military operations. Under US law, the reimbursement process requires a careful, joint analysis of expenditures and the US makes every effort to make the reimbursements in timely manner".
The Coalition Support Fund was established by the United States in 2001 to support 27 nations, including Pakistan, for logistical, military and other forms of support provided to the US in support of overseas contingency operations. Under the programme, Pakistan periodically submits expenses incurred in support of contingency operations, some of the costs they incur in the fight against terrorism.
The policy interests of USA in Pakistan include counter terrorism, democratisation and human rights, economic reform, and efforts to counter narcotics trafficking. Despite efforts for prompt release of stuck-up amounts, Pakistan has yet to receive any payment from USA under CSF in the ongoing calendar year 2011.
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