ISLAMABAD // On the dawn of a multibillion-dollar rescue programme from the United States, ordinary Pakistanis are wary of aid from what many consider at best a fair-weather friend and at worst a hostile state intent on stealing its nuclear arsenal.
Pakistan is set to receive US$1.5 billion (Dh5.5bn) a year for the next five to 10 years from Washington in a massive civilian aid package aimed at fighting poverty and preventing the country from falling under the sway of a minority of extremists. It represents a tripling of US non-military aid for Islamabad.
Underscoring the West's sense of urgency in stabilising the country considered key to defeating al Qa'eda and allied extremist groups, Gordon Brown, the British prime minister, last month called Pakistan's north-west frontier with Afghanistan the "crucible of terrorism".
The aid drive, outlined in a bill introduced in early May in the US Senate by the Democrat John Kerry, who chairs the Senate foreign relations committee, and the Republican senator Dick Lugar, targets economic growth, development and governance.
The proposed package would "empower the moderates, who will have something concrete to put forward as evidence that friendship with America brings rewards as well as perils," Mr Kerry told the Senate.
With two million people displaced by fighting between the Pakistan army and resurgent Taliban in the volatile north-west, a weakened government, a separate insurgency in the south-west and poor infrastructure especially in the power sector, beleaguered President Asif Ali Zardari has been calling on the US and other foreign donors for an aid drive.
In the bazaars of Islamabad, mixed with bristling expectations of a windfall of cash and jobs are cautions against corrupt misuse of the funds and a weariness with so much US money focused on "tanks and guns".
The consensus was that real benefit would only come if the aid is directed at job creation, education, health care and agriculture - and intensively monitored.
The bill states in its summary: "The status quo is not working: the United States believes it is paying too much and getting too little - and most Pakistanis believe exactly the opposite."
Such sentiment was echoed by Altaf Wani, a businessman in Islamabad's central Jinnah marketplace.
"The United States has to prove that it is not against Muslims or Pakistan through actions not rhetoric," Mr Wani said.
"This package may help to show that the Obama administration is genuinely interested in the welfare of common Pakistanis. If the US invests in the social sector and helps Pakistanis improve their lives it can bring positive change."
Muhammad Javed, a garment shop manager, cautioned that many of the displaced two million people are at risk of falling into the arms of radical mosques and madrassas.
"The US should spend huge resources on rehabilitating these people as it is the war on terror which has displaced them. Otherwise mosques and madrassas will become the only alternative for them to get refuge and food for their children," Mr Javed said. Access to US and European markets for Pakistani exports should form part of the aid package, he stressed.
"The people of Pakistan want to see the soft face of the US now," said Afiya Rasool, a housewife. "So far they've just provided us tanks and guns instead of libraries or sport complexes."
More than $10bn handed over by Washington since September 11 has gone to Pakistan's military for battling militants. Mrs Rasool said aid would be better spent on schools in Balochistan and the North West Frontier Province, the two western provinces she called "the breeding grounds of regional terrorism".
"If we provide them education the locals may aspire for a better life," she said.
Ghulam Abbas, a security guard, is typical of the thousands of poor villagers from outside Islamabad paid less than $100 a month to wear blue uniforms and guard the homes of diplomats and officials.
"I live in a poor locality. We do not have clean water, nor do we have access to education or health care," he said in the Super Market bazaar.
"If the US builds schools and provides our children books and uniforms it could bring a revolution in our lives. The ruling class is sucking our blood. Whatever they get from abroad they disperse among themselves. Nothing reaches the poor. The US should also invest in projects that create a large number of jobs. Joblessness makes people vulnerable to falling into the hands of terrorists as they promise rewards not only in this world but in the hereafter."
Rashid Butt, an administrative clerk, said "swift economic turnaround" could result if the aid is directed to agriculture, education and health care.
"Our inept administration and political elite always misused public money and hardly any funds go towards public interest projects. Had they used earlier aid honestly we could be in a better position now."
Mr Butt, 39, added: "We should also engage maximum people in dialogue to detach them from terrorist outfits."
Asad Shah, a student, espoused the more cynical view of US involvement in Pakistan as hostile interference with destructive intent.
"I'm not pleased that Pakistan got billions of dollars by killing its own citizens in the Swat valley and the tribal areas," said Mr Shah, 23, drinking tea at a stall in the Peshawar More bazaar.
"Zardari was rewarded by the Obama administration for killing more and more innocent fellow citizens. The people of Pakistan should not accept this aid and should strive to live within their own means."
He called the 80,000 mainly US foreign troops in Afghanistan a destabilising force and considered them "the region's major cause of militancy and terrorism", a view held by many Pakistanis.
"The US cannot and does not want to help or rescue Pakistan. They just want to deprive us of our nuclear assets and subdue us before Indian hegemony."
bcurran@thenational.ae
Honeymoonish
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Elie%20El%20Samaan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENour%20Al%20Ghandour%2C%20Mahmoud%20Boushahri%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEducatly%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EUAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohmmed%20El%20Sonbaty%2C%20Joan%20Manuel%20and%20Abdelrahman%20Ayman%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEducation%20technology%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20size%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%242%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEnterprise%20Ireland%2C%20Egypt%20venture%2C%20Plus%20VC%2C%20HBAN%2C%20Falak%20Startups%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.8-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C200rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320Nm%20from%201%2C800-5%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh111%2C195%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 2
Suarez (10'), Messi (52')
Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')
MATCH INFO
Champions League last 16, first leg
Tottenham v RB Leipzig, Wednesday, midnight (UAE)
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
Match info
Bournemouth 0
Liverpool 4 (Salah 25', 48', 76', Cook 68' OG)
Man of the match: Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre flat-six twin-turbocharged
Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic
Power: 445bhp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh474,600
On Sale: Now
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
How it works
Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com
PROFILE OF STARZPLAY
Date started: 2014
Founders: Maaz Sheikh, Danny Bates
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment/Streaming Video On Demand
Number of employees: 125
Investors/Investment amount: $125 million. Major investors include Starz/Lionsgate, State Street, SEQ and Delta Partners
The biog
From: Upper Egypt
Age: 78
Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila
Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace
Favourite building in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
