US Temporarily Suspends Aid To Pakistan; Several Projects On Pause

KARACHI (ANI)- The United States has temporarily paused foreign assistance to Pakistan for re-evaluation, Geo News reported, citing an official at the US Consulate in Karachi. The decision, which follows an executive order issued by President Donald Trump, has brought numerous projects across sectors such as health, agriculture, and education to a halt.

Tammy Bruce, spokesperson for the US Department of State, confirmed the suspension, stating, “Consistent with President Trump’s Executive Order on Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid, Secretary Rubio has paused all US foreign assistance funded by or through the State Department and USAID for review.”

Among the projects affected is the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), a flagship program promoting cultural heritage preservation. Several initiatives in the energy sector have also been halted, including the Power Sector Improvement Activity, Pakistan Private Sector Energy Activity, and the Pakistan Climate Financing Activity. Economic growth projects have been similarly impacted, such as the Social Protection Activity, which was due to end in 2025, as well as the Investment Promotion Activity, Pakistan Private Investment Initiative, and Economic Recovery and Development Activity. The USD 24.8 million FATA Economic Revitalization Program, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme, was completed prior to the suspension.

In the agriculture sector, projects like the Gomal Zam Command Area Development Project, which concluded in 2024, remain unaffected. However, ongoing programs such as Water Management for Enhanced Productivity and Livelihood and Food Security Activity for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and flood-affected districts are now paused.

The suspension has also affected democracy, human rights, and governance programs. Of the 11 initiatives impacted, four were set to conclude in 2025. A USD 19.1 million project to strengthen Electoral and Legislative Processes was completed in 2024. Other affected programs include Building Peace in Pakistan, Land Registration in Merged Areas Activity, and Water Governance for Sindh.

In the education sector, projects like Improving Girls Education Activity, Higher Education System Strengthening Activity, and Education Resilience Activity have been suspended. Similarly, health initiatives such as Integrated Health Systems Strengthening and Service Delivery, Tuberculosis Local Organisation Network, and the Global Health Security Program are now on hold.

The White House has clarified that the pause, set for a period of 90 days, will allow for a review of all foreign development assistance programs. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will oversee this process to ensure programmatic efficiency and alignment with U.S. foreign policy.

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