Pak Urges US To Restore Military Financing, Sales In Bid To Stabilise Its Crippling Economy

Pakistan has urged the US to restore military financing and sales that were suspended by formers President Donald Trump

Masood Khan, Pakistan’s envoy in Washington.

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Amid a severe economic downfall, Pakistan has now reached out to the United States of America to stabilise its cash-strapped economy. The neighbouring country urged the US on Thursday to restore military financing and sales that were suspended by formers US President Donald Trump, reported the Dawn citing Pakistan’s envoy in Washington, Masood Khan. 

As per Dawn’s report, Khan said at a seminar in Washington, “It is important that the US restores — for Pakistan — Foreign Military Financing and Foreign Military Sales, suspended by the previous administration.” 

However, US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Elizabeth Horst focused more on the need to help rebuild the troubled Pakistani economy and asked Islamabad to work with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to do so. 

“The reforms that Pakistan and the IMF agreed to are not easy. But it’s crucial that Pakistan take these actions to bring the country back to sound financial footing, avoid falling into further debt, and grow Pakistan’s economy, she said, as quoted by Dawn. 

Horst also noted that both the US and Pakistan “want a region where terrorists pose no threats and borders are respected.” 

She urged both countries to work together on the economy, trade, investment, regional stability, and especially on global challenges like climate and health.  

As per Dawn, Horst acknowledged that “the question on everybody’s mind right now is Pakistan’s immediate economic situation.” adding that the US, “shares concerns about the sustainability of Pakistan’s current economic path” and “we also know that this economic situation has very personal consequences for tens of millions of Pakistanis who are tightening their belts”. 

She mentioned that the US would continue supporting Pakistan through technical engagements and assistance, “particularly when it comes to encouraging Pakistan to enact policies that promote an open and fair, transparent business climate”. 

On Russian oil import, Khan said that Pakistan placed its first order for Russian oil and did so in consultation with the US government. 

The report stated that US and Pakistan relationship suffered a blow after the former’s withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan. It said that the intense US competition with China has further strained Pakistan’s relations with the United States. 

The developments came during the half-day conference at Wilson Centre, Washington which was focused on how the US-Pakistan relationship can be crafted against the backdrop of multiple challenging developments, Dawn mentioned. 

India-Pakistan Relation 

Moving on to the India-Pak relationship, Pal’s ambassador sought Washington’s interference in easing tensions between India and Pakistan.  

“We do value the US encouragement to India and Pakistan to engage. But beyond that, the US could act as a catalyst to help resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute which has kept the region on the brink of war,” he said, as quoted by Dawn. 

Pakistan And Afghanistan 

Pak’s envoy also spoke on the current situation in Afghanistan and his country can help in bringing stability to the region. 

“Afghanistan’s stability is imperative, first and foremost, for its own people who have suffered grievously over the past four decades,” he said. 

He added, “Let’s work together to eliminate this threat. Today it is a threat for Pakistan and Afghanistan; if unchecked, it will spread to other parts of the region and beyond.”