Expanding an ally’s role in its aid program, the United States will directly funnel aid into Pakistan through the national government and tap more local non-governmental organizations in implementing development projects, Reuters reports.
The move is seen as a deviation from Washington’s long practice of contracting U.S. NGOs for projects in Pakistan and a step aimed at pleasing the Pakistani government, expected to be a critical U.S. partner in stabilizing neighboring Afghanistan.
“Our investments have often gone to U.S.-based contractors and U.S.-based organisations, and too much of those resources have landed back in the U.S.,” said U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Rajiv Shah. “Our team is committed to increasing the proportion of spendings that we provide directly to the government and directly to the Pakistani institutions.”
