The Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP) forum held on the sidelines of the opening of the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly, trilaterally chaired by United States President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and President Zardari was hailed as a success by all the participants.
The most notable indicator of this success from Pakistan's perspective was the announcement by President Obama that the Senate had finally passed the much delayed Kerry-Lugar bill that envisages 1.5 billion dollars per annum civilian assistance for the next five years. The passage of the Kerry-Lugar bill indicates that the predominant view held by the US Senators is that a co-operative Pakistan remains critical to meeting America's long-term global anti-terrorism goals.
The inordinate delay in its passage is partly laid at the doorstep of the strong Indian lobby that had sought to emphasise what was termed as Pakistan's 'inconsistent' role in tackling terrorism. The much-quoted example of this inconsistency was the order to release Hafiz Saeed, the chief of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (considered a cover) for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba, by the Lahore High Court, which ruled that his continued detention under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance was illegal and unconstitutional.
However, notwithstanding the euphoria of the Pakistani delegation, it is pertinent to note on the record comments made by Richard Holbrooke, the Special US envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan: "The bill (Kerry-Lugar) is a five-year authorisation... And we all know the difference between an appropriation and an authorization, and there's a lot of work left to be done."
This indicates that the money may not be forthcoming any time soon, and in addition, its release would be contingent upon Pakistan meeting certain conditions. There are three major conditions that the government of Pakistan would have to comply with. First and foremost is the requirement for Pakistan to constantly verify that it continues to assist the US meet its over-arching objectives in the region: that of defeating Islamic extremism and thereby reducing the global threat of Islamic terrorism.
Thus the ongoing military operation raah-e-raast will have to be sustained till such time, as the entire conflict-ridden area is free from the twin menace of fundamentalism and terrorism to the satisfaction of the Americans. Periodic pressure, via New Delhi, may also continue. Second, the bill seeks to emphasise that the target of the assistance are the 'people of Pakistan' as opposed to the 'fluctuating government-to-government relationship'.
In short, this aspect of the bill challenges the assertion made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi in his post-FoDP press conference that Pakistan requires 'political and strategic support' from its friends. Richard Holbrooke, during his meeting with President Zardari, a day earlier had reiterated the Obama administration's commitment to overcoming Pakistan's 'economic and security challenges'.
Thus the assistance package includes the following: (i) police reforms, equipping and training; independent judicial systems; political pluralism and the rule of law; respect for human rights and the promotion of an independent media; transparency and accountability of the government; anti-corruption efforts; and countering the drug trade; (ii) economic freedom, including sustainable economic growth and sustainable use of natural resources; investments in energy and water; employment generation; and worker rights, and (iii) investment in people, particularly women and children, including broad-based public primary and secondary education and vocational training; food security and agricultural development; quality public health; and higher education.
Thirdly, the need for oversight of US assistance to Pakistan has been noted by many a US lawmaker/legislator, be it as a consequence of the trust deficit with the Zardari presidency, the recent report by Transparency International with respect to the limitations of the new accountability law proposed by the government or indeed the need to give adequate time to the present government to improve governance.
Thus regular reports would be required from the US President, Secretary of State and Department of Defence to 'assess the aid strategy (military and non-military) and auditing oversight would be strengthened to avoid duplication and optimise aid utilisation'.
Much has also been made of the setting up of a trust fund for Pakistan. Two facts need consideration: what is to be the source of the fund, would it be over and above the pledges made by the FoDP, money which has still not been appropriated, and who would have the control of the fund. Until and unless these questions are answered, the fund would remain a non-event.