Pakistani New Yorkers on Kerry-Lugar Bill: Not Offensive, but Won’t Help
Posted on 06. Nov, 2009 by Aash Jethra in Uncategorized, Urban
The Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009, also known as the Kerry-Lugar Bill, has been under much criticism lately from the government of Pakistan, in particular because of the clauses it contains which ensure that the the money, $1.5 billion per annum for five years, will not be funneled into the military, but into the development of the country.
Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) speaks during a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee April 23, 2009 in Washington, DC. Also pictured is Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN). (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
According to an article published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington D.C., called The Politics of Aid: Controversy Surrounds the Pakistan Aid Bill: ”The bill…has largely been criticized in Pakistan, with the press and political parties claiming that it is ‘less an assistance program than a treaty of surrender.’”
Interviews with Pakistani living in New York reveal, however, that they largely think the bill does not undermine their homeland’s security and that Pakistan should accept the money. But they also don’t feel that the aid will ultimately make much of a difference.
Each respondents was asked if they thought the Kerry-Lugar Bill undermines Pakistan’s sovereignty:
Asghar Choudhuri is an accountant and prominent community member. Choudhuri thinks that Pakistan’s politicians are skeptical of the bill because it prevents them from pocketing the aid money themselves.
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Sumaira Mian is 16 years old and was born in the United States. She lives in the Little Pakistan neighborhood of Midwood, Brooklyn, though she has also spent five years living in Pakistan. Mian is weary about where the money will actually end up.
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Mohsin Zaheer, 40, is editor of the Urdu weekly Sada-e-Pakistan and has also worked as a journalist in Pakistan. Zaheer believes the aid won’t make a dent.
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