The military rulers, their ministers and sycophants were jubilant whenever they received aid money from US. They claimed that aid had improved the economy of the country. They also said that a lot of poor people had improved due to improvement in the economy. But these were empty political slogans. In fact, the money they received in aid was squandered. Troubles like Lal Masjid, FATA and now Swat bred under the very nose of their federal and NWFP governments. And they did not take any preventive action to nip the evil in bud. Rather it appeared as if those troubles grew with the connivance and due encouragement of the government.  

As per Washington Post, the Bush administration has so far provided nearly $ 11 billions in aid to Pakistan since 2001, most of it in military hardware and cash support for the country's operating budget. Pakistan received more than $ 6 billion from the Coalition Support Fund. Less than 10% US aid to Pakistan has gone to support the country's economy and social infrastructure, a meager $ 64 million has gone to schools.

Contrast that with $ 1.6 billion in US aid that was dedicated to security assistance for purchase of major weapon systems. Pakistan has received $ 150 million a month for maintenance of security forces deployed for fighting terrorism. –

GANGLY KHAN,
Mandi Bahauddin