It went to the jihadis under Musharraf. How have things changed since then? Certainly the Zardari government is moving aggressively against the Taliban now, but will it take the necessary steps to root out Taliban sympathizers from the government and fight against those who wish to impose Sharia upon the entire nation? That seems doubtful at best.
“US House approves $2.3 bn for Pakistan,” from The News International, May 16 :
WASHINGTON: The US House of Representatives has approved a $96.7 billion supplemental measure to fund Iraq and Afghanistan wars, with $2.3 billion flowing into Pakistan as economic and security assistance as well as financing for enhanced American diplomatic missions in the key anti-terror allied country.
According to the House Appropriations Committee, the $2.3 billion for Pakistan include about $1 billion for the socio-economic development, $400 million for strengthening counterinsurgency capability of Pakistani forces and some other expenditure like US diplomatic operations, diplomatic security and a new secure embassy and consulates in the country.
The economic assistance for Pakistan will be $997 “more than the Obama administration had requested and help address the economic crisis, including agriculture and food security, assist the displaced population, strengthen national and provincial governance, expand the rule of law, and to improve access and quality of education.”…
The congressional findings cited in the bill say that “Afghanistan and Pakistan are experiencing a deterioration of their internal security resulting from a growing insurgency fueled by Al-Qaeda, the Taliban and other extremist networks that continue to operate along the western border of Pakistan, including in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.”
The bill urges that “the governments of both Afghanistan and Pakistan must expand the writ of the national government across all provinces to secure their borders, protect their population, enforce the rule of law, and tackle the pervasive problem of corruption in order to bring security and stability to their people.”
Yes, they must. But will they?