Pakistan
Senator Lugar considers a secure Pakistan to be vital in the protection of United States security interests in Afghanistan and throughout the Middle East and South Asia. From January 2003 to December 2006, Senator Lugar served as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and has been the Republican leader since January 2007. In this capacity, he has exercised close oversight of U.S. policy in Pakistan and participated in more than 15 hearings related to ongoing affairs in the country from 2003 to the present. Recent hearings have featured testimony from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke.
Lugar Kerry Pakistan-American Enterprise Fund legislation
On July 29, 2010, Senator Lugar Senator John Kerry (D-MA) introduced legislation to establish a "Pakistan-American Enterprise Fund" to focus on strengthening the private sector in Pakistan using existing funds from the Kerry-Lugar-Berman aid package
passed by Congress last year. Read the press release for more information on the enterprise fund.
January 21, 2010 — At a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing entitled, "Civilian Strategy for Afghanistan: A Status Report in Advance of the London Conference," Senator Lugar discussed the Obama Administration's new Afghanistan and Pakistan Regional Stabilization Strategy. He said, "Given the cost and security ramifications of our efforts in the region, the [new Afghanistan Pakistan Regional Stabilization Strategy] must include strong accountability elements. It is important that our collective programs in Afghanistan and Pakistan be effectively monitored and measured against a definable set of metrics." Watch his statement below.
October 15, 2009 — President Obama signed the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009 into law.
October 01, 2009 — In his opening statement at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing entitled, "Afghanistan’s Impact on Pakistan," Senator Lugar discussed The Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009. He said, "The bill represents a long-overdue investment in diplomacy and development in this region … Pakistan has roughly five times as many people as Afghanistan and possesses nuclear weapons. Its stability has implications throughout the Middle East and South Asia. It also is contending with an al-Qaeda sanctuary, an expanding Islamic insurgency, political uncertainty, and a shaky economy. These circumstances are a threat to Pakistan, the region, and the United States." Watch his statement and questions below.
June 16, 2009 — The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the Kerry-Lugar Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009 by a vote of 16-0. Read Senator Lugar's statement.
May 21, 2009 — At the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing entitled, "A New Strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan," Senator Lugar discussed the implementation of the Kerry-Lugar Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009. He said, "The Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009 sustains the objectives outlined by the Administration and provides tools to help implement them, including additional resources for oversight and accountability … The dynamic and dangerous environment in Pakistan will require a clear understanding of the responsibilities of our varied government agencies as they engage with the host government."
While questioning Admiral Michael Mullen during this hearing, Senator Lugar emphasized the importance of maintaining strong oversight of foreign assistance to Pakistan. He noted the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009 called for reports on the state of assistance to Pakistan every six months during the Act’s five year authorization period, with progress measured clearly through the use of definable metrics.
May 12, 2009 — Senator Lugar commented on the importance of Pakistan to broader U.S. security interests at a hearing titled, "U.S. Strategy toward Pakistan." During the hearing, which featured testimony from Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009 frequently was discussed. Senator Lugar stated that, "The United States has an intense strategic interest in Pakistan and the surrounding region. The U.S. National Intelligence Estimate last year painted a bleak picture of the converging crises in Pakistan. The United States should make clear to the people of Pakistan that our interests are focused not on supporting a particular leader or party, but on democracy, pluralism, stability, and the fight against violence and extremism." Watch his statement and questions below.
May 4, 2009 — Senators Lugar and John Kerry (D-MA) introduced the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009, S. 962. Originally introduced with Senator Joe Biden in July 2008, this legislation aims to help transform the relationship between the U.S. and Pakistan: instead of a transactional, tactically-driven set of short-term exercises in crisis-management, Senators Kerry and Lugar aim to build a deeper, broader, long-term strategic engagement with the people (and not just the leaders) of this vitally important nation. Watch the press conference below.