Majority of the people of Pakistan are of the view that $1.5 billion US aid under Kerry-Lugar Bill for social sector uplift and poverty alleviation programmes should be utilised through non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as they have established their outreach to far-flung areas and, in most of the cases, enjoy confidence of the masses, according to a survey conducted by Business Recorder.
When asked who should be given the aid amount (federal government, provincial governments or NGOs), majority of people belonging to various walks of life and social strata opined that they would want the US government to give the aid under Kerry Lugar Bill to NGOs as they have strong belief that these organisations would be the best option for utilising the money effectively and constructively.
It is pertinent to mention here that the amount under the bill is $1.5 billion in civilian aid, and Pakistan hopes to get an equal amount from the US in military assistance for the next five years. Zahoor Ahmed, a resident of AJ&K, said that if the US government was really sincere with the people of Pakistan and in true sense wanted to see the people of Pakistan progressing, it should give the said amount to NGOs with good reputation, and added that NGOs like Alkhidmat Foundation had proved their abilities in the aftermath of the 2005 earthquake.
Muhammad Naheem, a student of M Pil at Agriculture University Rawalpindi, was of the view that a few Pakistani NGOs, like Imran Khan's Shaukat Khanam, Jamaat-i-Islami's Al-Khidmat Foundation, Edhi Foundation are working with dedication and their achievements in social sector and helping the needy population needs no mention. Such organisations could make a difference if their platforms were used for utilisation of the aid.
When people were asked why they do not trust the government as well as a number of other national and international NGOs, they said that the namesake NGOs and the government officials had failed in getting the desired results whenever aid money was utilised by them.
According to Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin, Pakistan will get $874 million from United States under Kerry Lugar bill by June 30, 2010. He said that the amount would include $500 million out of total $1 billion pledged by US in Tokyo donor conference. "Under Kerry Lugar bill, one billion dollars will be in addition to $500 million pledged by US in Tokyo conference," he said, adding that Pakistan would be receiving $1.5 billion under the bill. Pakistan will have to identify the projects for assistance disbursement under Lugar bill, he said.