Welcome to the cyber-home of the Council on Pakistan Relations (CPR), a national grassroots organization for Americans interested in a better future and better relations between America and Pakistan. The CPR’s mission is to impact U.S policy towards Pakistan to foster lasting peace, democracy, prosperity and stability. read more…
Your action is needed to work together to guarantee that U.S. foreign assistance is transparent and benefits the people of Pakistan; that the U.S. brings India to the table to resolve the dispute over Kashmir; and that the U.S. and Pakistan works to overcome the mistrust that has characterized relations between the two countries. read more…
On March 1, CPR met with the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, which is chaired by Congressman Tierney (D-MA). CPR met with the Sub-Committee’s Counsel Scott Lindsay and Staff Director Andrew Wright and expressed its strong interest in working with the subcommittee on all issues related to South Asia. The staffers stated that Chairman Tierney was focused on Pakistan and how the State Department and USAID were going to allocate the foreign assistance money. CPR urged the Subcommittee to identify ways to include the Pakistani American community in its work and to hold the Government of Pakistan (and the U.S. Government) accountable for the foreign assistance it is receiving.
On March 1, CPR met with Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) to discuss the importance of granting Pakistan preferential trade access to the U.S. market. Last year Congressman Van Hollen was the main proponent of the Reconstruction Opportunity Zone (ROZ) legislation that would have provide preferential trade access to goods produced in areas along the Pakistan/Afghanistan border to create jobs and promote cross-border cooperation between the two countries. Van Hollen explained that while he recognized that the ROZ legislation was not perfect, it was a start and he asked for CPR’s support. CPR committed to working with the Congressman’s office to advance trade legislation for Pakistan and educate the Pakistani American community about its importance.
On March 1, CPR met with the Office of Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) to introduce the work of the Council and discuss issues such as the U.S. Pakistan assistance legislation (Kerry/Lugar) and recent political developments in Pakistan. CPR stated that its main priorities include: pushing the U.S. to adopt a regional South Asia strategy that includes India; promoting greater U.S. trade access to Pakistani goods; ensuring that U.S. foreign assistance to Pakistan achieves its objectives and that the Pakistani American community has a greater voice in Washington on issues important to Pakistani Americans.
The Council on Pakistan Relations (CPR) is currently seeking motivated and qualified undergraduate and graduate students interested in serving as interns at the national and state level. Click Here for More
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/18/2010) – This week, the Council on Pakistan Relations (CPR) has provided Secretary of State Hillary Clinton with detailed recommendations on how to strengthen U.S.-Pakistan relations, improve America’s image in Pakistan and ensure that U.S. assistance to the country actually reaches its intended target, the people of Pakistan. read more…
What can the U.S. do to help Pakistan become a more stable, secure and peaceful country? While the future of Pakistan is ultimately in the hands of the Pakistani people, there are several foreign policy changes that the U.S. should make in order to demonstrate better understanding of Pakistan’s fundamental challenges, and to be more effective in addressing the problems. read more…
In January 2008, in order to increase the capacity of FATA governmental institutions and nongovernmental organizations USAID/Pakistan awarded a 3-year, $43.4 million contract to Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI), to carry out the Capacity Building for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas Development Program. In May 2009, to cover the cost of security measures, the mission increased the contract amount by $2.2 million to a total of $45.6 million. As of October 31, 2009, USAID had obligated approximately $19.7 million and expended approximately $15.5 million. read more…
WASHINGTON — One of the problems with the U.S.-Pakistan relationship over the decades has been that the two sides tend to fall in and out of love like a tempestuous couple, rather than maintain a steady and dependable bond. So it’s wise to approach recent talk about a new strategic breakthrough with some caution and skepticism. read more…
On February 24, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton outlined the Obama Administration’s fiscal year 2011 foreign policy budget request before the Senate Foreign Relation Committee. read more…
Last October, when I visited, Pakistanis were fuming over the U.S. aid package recently approved by Congress. The $7.5 billion Kerry-Lugar bill tripled American support for Pakistan over a five-year period and reversed the overwhelmingly promilitary slant of previous U.S. aid. read more…
February 2010 (US DOD) — This Overview book highlights the funding, programs, and priorities of President Obama’s FY 2011 Department of Defense (DoD) budget request. The Overview’s purpose is to help inform Congress and the American people on how taxpayer dollars are being invested to strengthen our national security. read more…
Excerpt: .. A major focus of the President’s policy review was the importance of Pakistan to our efforts in Afghanistan, to regional stability, and to our national security and foreign policy interests. read more…
