ICG questions military aid to Pakistan

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ICG, Pakistan, June 27 (UPI) -- Focus on security aid for Pakistan after the Sept. 11, 2001, al-Qaida attacks on the United States hasn't done much for democracy, an anti-conflict group said.

The International Crisis Group reports that more than 60 percent of the $15.8 billion in funding for Pakistan has been linked to security efforts.

The group said that such measures haven't done much to help Pakistan take on militant groups operating inside its territory nor has it helped bolster the country's "nascent democracy."

"Lopsided focus on security aid after the Sept. 11 attacks has not delivered counter-terrorism dividends but entrenched the military's control over state institutions and policy, delaying reforms and aggravating Pakistani public perceptions that the U.S. is only interested in investing in a security client," the organization stated.

ICG notes that some agencies, like the U.S. Agency for International Development, are cutting expectations for operations in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, U.S. and Pakistani relations are in decline. A report this week for the U.S. State Department found harassment by Pakistani authorities was interfering day-to-day operations for U.S. diplomats.

"Implementing partners, particularly international NGOs, face constant harassment, threats of closure and visa delays and refusals for staff," the ICG report read. "This has severely impacted all aspects of their operations, from hiring to program implementation."