The United States of America (USA) has temporarily suspended all aid programs to Pakistan, however, this suspension has no connection with Pakistan’s former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s release.
It was expected that after becoming president for the second time, Donald Trump would play a role in the release of Imran Khan, currently incarcerated in Adiala Jail Rawalpindi in corruption and other cases. However Trump has not given any statement about Imran Khan after taking oath on 20 January, but supporters of Imran Khan are hopeful that Trump would play his role in this regard.
US officials have confirmed that aid to Pakistan, like several other countries, has been temporarily suspended due to which several key development projects in the country have been stalled
The US State Department has directed all diplomatic and consular missions to immediately suspend foreign aid programs. The suspension, initially set for 90 days, also affects assistance to Ukraine, Taiwan, Jordan, and other nations.
According to US officials, all aid programs to Pakistan have been halted pending a comprehensive review. The decision has disrupted multiple sectors in the country.
The suspension includes the Ambassador Fund for Cultural Preservation, while five major projects in the energy sector have also been shut down.
Economic growth initiatives in Pakistan are among the affected areas, with four programs halted. Additionally, five development projects in the agriculture sector have lost funding.
US officials clarified that the suspension is temporary, and the future of these aid programs will be determined after a thorough review.
The United States is the largest single donor of aid globally. In fiscal year 2023, it disbursed $72 billion in assistance. It provided 42 percent of all humanitarian aid tracked by the United Nations in 2024.
