Islamabad, August 15, 2006: The
United States and Pakistan signed a $22.1 million
agreement to support local governance, strengthen
parliamentary institutions, and provide commodities
and assistance to promote fair elections. The agreement
will fund U.S. Agency for International Development
(USAID) programs, which are implemented in cooperation
with governmental and non-governmental organizations.
The bilateral agreement was signed by USAID/Pakistan
Director Jonathan Addleton and Secretary, Economic
Affairs Division Khalid Saeed. Mr. Addleton said that,
“Whether through the support of an institute
for legislative services in Parliament or by working
with District governments, USAID’s governance
programs are designed to increase communication between
the government and citizenry and improve the ability
of government institutions to serve the people.”
USAID’s Districts that Work program will improve
District governments’ ability to deliver high-quality
public services efficiently, particularly health and
education services. Additionally, the program will
help district governments and members of the private
sector create and implement local economic development
plans. This year, Districts that Work will be launched
in two districts each in Punjab and Sindh Provinces,
and one district each in Baluchistan and North West
Frontier Province.
Other USAID programs are designed to make national
and state legislatures work more effectively. USAID
is supporting the creation of the Pakistan Institute
for Legislative Services, which will help all members
of the national and provincial parliaments work more
effectively by improving parliamentary research and
support resources. USAID funding also assists parliament’s
internship program, strengthens parliament’s
committee system, encourages parliament’s increased
involvement in the budget process, and helps parliament
achieve its goal of improving public access to the
legislative process.
USAID funding will also support a UN-organized, multi-donor
initiative to strengthen the Election Commission of
Pakistan and its ability to implement elections in
2007. Possible assistance includes provision of transparent
ballot boxes, voter screens, and assistance in the
computerization of voter rolls.
Overall, the United States, through USAID, is providing
more than $1.5 billion in development assistance to
Pakistan over the next five years to improve education,
health, governance and economic growth. In addition,
the United States has pledged a total of $510 million
in earthquake relief and reconstruction efforts to
assist the people of Pakistan and to support Pakistani
government relief and reconstruction efforts.
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