The United States has acknowledged accusations made by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari regarding the alleged mismanagement of $400 million intended for flood relief by the Shehbaz Sharif-led government. Bilawal claimed that the federal government diverted these funds, which were meant for flood victims, towards unrelated projects.
He stated that he had secured the $400 million in loans and aid from the World Bank specifically for flood relief. However, he alleged that the federal government has retained the funds and offered him rupees instead, claiming to execute unspecified projects. He criticized the government for failing to build a single house for flood victims in recent years and urged that the aid be redirected to its intended purpose.
In response to these allegations, US State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller addressed the issue during a press briefing on Wednesday, emphasizing that the United States is closely monitoring the situation. “We take this matter very seriously, not only in Pakistan but also wherever American taxpayer dollars are utilized, especially in urgent humanitarian situations,” Miller stated. He further explained that both the State Department and USAID adhere to strict protocols for monitoring and evaluating foreign aid to ensure transparency and accountability. “We halt assistance when we observe any misdirection or misuse of funds,” he added, indicating possible concerns regarding the use of flood relief resources in Pakistan.
In a separate matter, Miller was asked about US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s meeting with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar. While he declined to provide specific details, Miller confirmed that the discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing regional and global challenges. He also mentioned that human rights issues often come up in US diplomatic conversations, suggesting they may have been part of the discussions during the meeting.
The allegations made by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, along with the US’s prompt acknowledgment of the situation, have intensified scrutiny on how the Pakistani government is managing international aid, particularly amid ongoing concerns about humanitarian efforts for flood victims.
