Reflecting its growing presence in Washington D.C., the Council on Pakistan Relations has been invited by Secretary Clinton to attend a March 24 reception commemorating the first Ministerial-level U.S.-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi will co-chair the talks. (more…)
March 23, 2010 at 1:33 AM UTC
Secretary Clinton Invites CPR to Event Honoring U.S.-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue
March 16, 2010 at 4:04 AM UTC
Senators Kerry and Lugar Letter on Pakistan Aid Package
Last week, Senate Foreign Relations chiefs John Kerry, D-MA, and Richard Lugar, R-IN, sent a letter to both Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah, calling into question whether the administration is using congressionally authorized aid money “in a manner that most effectively improve[s] the daily lives of the people of Pakistan.” (more…)
March 10, 2010 at 7:32 PM UTC
Action Alert: Urge Clinton to Ensure Assistance Reaches Pakistanis
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. (more…)
March 8, 2010 at 11:49 PM UTC
FEATURED REPORT: USAID Releases FATA Audit Report
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. (more…)
March 5, 2010 at 1:54 AM UTC
CPR Meets with House Government Reform and Oversight Committee
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.
March 5, 2010 at 1:52 AM UTC
CPR Meets with Congressman Van Hollen to Discuss Trade Legislation
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.
March 5, 2010 at 12:14 AM UTC
View: To Pakistan, Almost with Love
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. (more…)
March 1, 2010 at 1:52 AM UTC
CPR Meets with Senator Cornyn’s Office
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.
