Trump administration halts US aid to Pakistan, key projects suspended
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The United States has temporarily halted foreign assistance to Pakistan following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump, leading to the immediate suspension of several major United States Agency for International Development (USAID) projects.
Among the impacted initiatives is the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), a flagship program dedicated to safeguarding Pakistan’s cultural heritage. The AFCP supports the protection of historic sites, archaeological landmarks, museum collections, and indigenous cultural expressions, including languages and crafts.
Additionally, five energy sector projects have been put on hold - Power Sector Improvement Activity, Pakistan Private Sector Energy Activity, Energy Sector Advisory Services Project, Clean Energy Loan Portfolio Guarantee Program, and Pakistan Climate Financing Activity.
The suspension has also affected four economic growth-related projects, including the Social Protection Activity, which was originally planned to continue until 2025. Programs focused on health, agriculture, food security, climate resilience, flood relief, and education have also been hit. Furthermore, funds allocated for Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance programs have been frozen.
According to a report by Geo News, concerns are growing that some of these initiatives may be permanently discontinued or significantly scaled down. However, the exact financial impact remains unclear, as the total amount of annual US aid to Pakistan has not been disclosed.
Pakistani officials have yet to confirm the development or comment on the potential ramifications of Trump's executive order on the country’s foreign aid.
A statement from US Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce, issued last week, emphasised that the suspension aligns with Trump's Executive Order on Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated that all foreign aid must meet three key criteria - Does it make America safer, Does it make America stronger, and Does it make America more prosperous.
The move signals a broader reassessment of US foreign assistance policies, which could have lasting consequences for Pakistan’s development initiatives.
