Infrastructure development

Infrastructure is a backbone of socio-economic development of any country and its institutions. A nation cannot be self-reliant unless it evolves a large-scale infrastructure network. Pakistan is a state that needs a comprehensive infrastructure to take on the path of development. Increasingly, the US has been helping Pakistan since 1960 to develop its infrastructure. During a recent visit to Pakistan, Dr Rajiv Shah, the Administrator of United States Agency for International Development (USAID), said the US had been working with Pakistan to further its development priorities since 1950s.

“The US has helped Pakistan develop its economy by supporting the development of its water, power, transportation and communications infrastructure and by facilitating the establishment of university system. Mr. Shah further said that going further in times of conflict and catastrophe, the US AID had been providing financial as well as technical assistance to Pakistan to improve its most vulnerable sectors.The major sectors wherein the US focused during the last five years include poverty alleviation, education and energy.

The role of donor agencies in the development of country’s social sector as well as reconstruction and rehabilitation of calamity-hit zones in Pakistan is no less than a great contribution. The USAID owes a bigger part of it. Nonetheless, there is a need to further extend and expand this programme, as being the US only ally in the region in its war against terrorism, Pakistan is now at the helm of devastation where the poor and marginalized communities are roaming around which is the real cause of terrorism.

—Via email