• Humanitarian leaders warn of ‘a highly negative impact’ in Pakistan as suspension of US-funded programs threatens some 1.7 million people, including 1.2 million Afghan refugees
• Some analysts argue USAID cut could force developing nations like Pakistan to rethink their dependence on foreign assistance

Aamir Latif 

KARACHI, Sindh, Pakistan

On a cold morning in late January, Moosa Tunio was immersed in his routine work at his office in Pakistan’s southern Shikarpur district when a sudden notification flashed across his computer screen.

It was not an office memo or a routine email but a suspension letter – an abrupt halt to his employment with an organization that had been implementing a US-funded tuberculosis control program in Sindh, Pakistan’s southern province.

Tunio, who served as a district coordination officer, is among more than 100 employees suspended “until further notice” following US President Donald Trump’s unexpected decision to pause all foreign aid and gut organizations such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Launched in November 2023, the tuberculosis control program aimed to support Pakistan’s efforts to combat the disease in 15 underdeveloped districts of Sindh by 2029.

Tuberculosis remains a significant public health challenge in Pakistan, which ranks sixth among countries with the highest burden. According to the country’s Health Ministry, more than 600,000 people contract tuberculosis annually.

“The suspension of the program has put thousands of poor patients at risk, while also leaving hundreds of employees jobless,” Tunio lamented.

Speaking to Anadolu, he emphasized that the program had been benefiting around 1,500 families every month, directly or indirectly affected by the disease.

“Under this initiative, tuberculosis patients from remote areas were brought to city hospitals for checkups, lab tests, and screenings,” he explained. “Not just the patients, but their family members and close contacts were also tested to prevent the disease from spreading.”

For Tunio, the issue transcends mere employment concerns. “It’s not just about my job; it’s about thousands of patients who will suffer due to this project’s suspension. It must be restored immediately,” he said.

Widespread impact on health care

The American aid freeze has also halted a US-funded HIV/AIDS control program in Sindh, leaving health authorities scrambling for alternatives, according to Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Afzal Pechuhu.

Thousands of patients across the province were receiving life-saving medications through the now-stalled program.

Pakistan, a South Asian nation of over 240 million people, has more than 210,000 individuals living with HIV, according to the HIV/AIDS Data Hub for Asia Pacific.

Mohammad Dittal Kalhoro, head of the Sindh Rural Support Organization, one of the US-funded program’s implementation partners, warned of the broader implications.

“Suspension of such crucial programs puts the lives of millions at risk,” he told Anadolu.

His organization was forced to shut down all three of its US-sponsored health initiatives in Sindh – two of which were in full swing, while the third had barely begun.

“This decision will undoubtedly have a highly negative impact, particularly in a country like Pakistan, where numerous programs across various sectors relied on USAID funding,” Kalhoro said.

The suspension, he added, affects not only healthcare but also humanitarian assistance, refugee support, nutrition, education, energy, trade, economic growth, infrastructure, and climate change efforts.

“We are just one of dozens of organizations that have already started firing or suspending employees since end-January,” he said.

1.7 million Pushed further into crisis

According to the UN, around 1.7 million people in Pakistan, including 1.2 million Afghan refugees, will be directly affected by Trump’s decision and the consequent closure of over 60 US-funded health facilities.

In neighboring Afghanistan, the situation is even more alarming, as some 9 million people are expected to lose access to health and protection services due to the US funding crisis, Pio Smith, regional director for Asia and the Pacific at the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), warned in a statement.

The UNFPA has suspended services previously funded by US grants – services that provided a lifeline for women and girls in crisis-affected regions. According to Smith, the UNFPA requires over $308 million in 2025 to sustain essential programs in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

Mohammad Tahseen, executive director of South Asia Partnership Pakistan, a development organization with a focus on rights and justice, echoed concerns over the widespread disruption.

Several well-known organizations have already shut down operations due to the pause in US aid, leaving a significant number of people unemployed, he told Anadolu.

“This suspension has already created a crisis where millions of vulnerable people around the world are suffering. Urgently needed humanitarian relief is on hold, hospitals face supply shortages, schools are shutting down, and more communities are being deprived of resources,” he said.

The US Embassy in Islamabad, when contacted for comment, declined to respond.

“We have been directed to refer all media queries regarding the President’s Executive Orders and their implementation to the White House,” an embassy spokesperson told Anadolu via email.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, on the other hand, has said that Islamabad hopes for a resumption of the assistance.

“Over the years, USAID has worked on a number of beneficial projects in Pakistan in the areas of energy, education, health and narcotics control. We hope that these programs will restart soon, and the two sides remain in contact on that,” ministry spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said at Jan. 30 press conference.

A shift in global aid dependence?

While the suspension of aid is devastating for humanitarian programs, some analysts argue it may force developing nations like Pakistan to rethink their dependence on foreign assistance.

According to Rashid Chaudhry, national coordinator at the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), advocacy groups may not feel the impact as severely as health-focused NGOs.

“Advocacy groups like ours operate on a diverse funding model with limited expenses, so we won’t face the same hardships as those in health, education, development, women’s empowerment, and other sectors,” he told Anadolu.

However, Chaudhry warned that the primary victims would be the marginalized communities who rely heavily on US-backed programs.

“We may have to squeeze our operations, and of course, employees will be fired. But they have the skills that will ultimately land them jobs in some other sector. The real problem will be faced by the millions of marginalized people,” he went on to argue.

Veteran Pakistani economist Shahid Hasan Siddiqui believes the crisis could be an opportunity in disguise.

“I see this move as a blessing in disguise for developing nations like Pakistan,” Siddiqui told Anadolu.

“While it will cause immediate hardships, this crisis may incentivize us in many ways as well, mainly to discipline our economies, reshape priorities, and push the state to take back the responsibilities that have long been outsourced to NGOs and relief organizations.”

Siddiqui argued that US aid, though intended to support sustainable development goals, often functions as a political tool for Washington in the post-Cold War era.

“USAID does not, in fact, add to human resource investments in developing countries. Instead, many governments reduce their own spending or investment in human resources, particularly education, health, and human development,” he explained.

Siddiqui contended that aid money flowing into such countries ends up benefiting the rich and powerful elite who control the corridors of power.

Read: Over 120,000 Pakistanis are directly employed by U.S. Companies

He also argued that while Pakistan has received billions in US aid over the years, it has suffered far greater economic losses due to its involvement in the war on terror.

“Pakistan, which has been a partner in the so-called war against terrorism, has already suffered over $130 billion in economic losses … The aid and grants we receive from the US are only a fraction of that,” he noted.

To mitigate the impact of the aid suspension, Siddiqui recommended that Islamabad increase its GDP allocation for essential services, enhance tax collection without overburdening ordinary citizens, and invest more in health, education, and human development.

Read: Pakistani-Iranian top diplomats reject Trump’s Gaza plan

__________________

Aamir Latif is a Karachi-based senior journalist. He represents Anadolu, a Turkish news agency.

Courtesy: Anadolu Agency (Posted on 11.02.2025)

The post ‘Millions at risk’ as Pakistan feels the pinch of USAID pause first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Tandojam, Sindh

An awareness program has been launched for the students’ mental health and well-being at Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) in Collaboration with Higher Education Commission’s System Strengthening Activity (HESSA).

A joint initiative between Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) inaugurated the awareness program aimed at promoting mental health and well-being among students. As part of this initiative, an online survey will be conducted involving students, faculty, and staff members.

The Higher Education Commission’s System Strengthening Activity (HESSA), with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is facilitating this program at Sindh Agriculture University. The survey aims to address various challenges and issues faced by students at the university, offering assistance and counseling services to enhance their mental health. Faculty and relevant officials associated with students will actively participate in this campaign.

Read: Introducing Mental Health subject at college and university level suggested

In this regard, a meeting was held at the Vice-Chancellor’s Secretariat on Thursday, where coordinators from various faculties were briefed on the initiative related to students’ mental health. Chief Medical Superintendent Dr. Faisal Ansari and Syed Nauman Ali Shah gave briefings as committee members during the meeting.

Survey forms along with an online link were distributed to all coordinators to facilitate student participation.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar, Dr. Khadim Hussain Wagan, Dr. Abdul Wahid Baloch, Dr. Ghulam Mujtaba Khushk, Dr. Bakhat-un-Nisa Mangan, Dr. Zulfiqar Mahar, Dr. Munir Ahmed, Amanullah Tunio, Asghar Ali Rajpar, Gulsher Lochi, and others. (PR)

Read: Sindh experiences 40% increase in mental health issues

__________________

The post Awareness Program Launched for Students’ Mental Health at Sindh Agriculture University first appeared on Sindh Courier.

From Correspondent

Tandojam, Sindh

Pakistan’s 31% graduates are not finding employment according to their degrees, Dr. Kenneth Holland, Chief of Party, USAID’s Higher Education System Strengthening Activity (HESSA), said on Thursday February 22, 2024.

Addressing a seminar titled “Enhancing student employment in the 21st century: addressing challenges and charting a path forward” hosted by the Students Teachers Engagement Program (STEP) and SAU Rotaract Club at the Senate Hall of Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, he emphasized the importance of economic development in Pakistan and the need to enhance the employability of youth according to their graduate qualification in both public and private institutions.

He recommended that students should work practically in private firms for a semester after graduation to enhance their skills.

Also read: Sindh Agriculture University signs agreement with Chinese Varsity for joint research

“Efforts are being made to enhance the professional and soft skills of such youth through information exchange and capacity building with Pakistani universities under the USAID-funded HESSA program implemented by the University of Utah,” he added.

Dr. Fateh Marri, Vice Chancellor of Sindh Agriculture University, Dr. Aijaz Ali Khoharo, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, and Dr. Jam Kashif Sahito also addressed the seminar. Heads of academic and administrative departments, students, and faculty members attended the event.

Also read: The Exodus of Talent from Pakistan

_____________

The post Pakistan’s 31% graduates unable to find employment according to their degrees first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Scholarship cheques were distributed among flood-affected students of Sindh Agriculture University

Tandojam, Sindh

Scholarship cheques were distributed to flood-affected students of Sindh Agriculture University under USAID’s Merit-Need Based Scholarship Program (MNBSP) on Friday.

The cheque distribution ceremony was organized under the auspicious University Advancement and Financial Assistance, Sindh Agriculture University, at Dr. AM Sheikh Auditorium Hall, in collaboration with the USAID Alumni Reunion and Scholarship program. Dean, Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal, distributed cheques among the students of the flood-affected areas of Sindh with the financial support of the USAID Merit Need-Based Scholarship Program.

Addressing the occasion, the Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal said that for the last 19 years, the merit and need-based scholarship program has been going on with the support of the Higher Education Commission and the financial assistance of USAID.

“Under this program, Scholarships are awarded to meritorious and financially deserving students across the country, which has solved the financial difficulties for talented students for higher education.” He stated.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar, Director of University Advancement and Financial Assistance said that the Human Resource Development Division of HEC is working to develop trained and skilled human resources.

He said that during 2022 rains and floods caused severe damage to the livelihood, livestock, and infrastructure of the residents of most areas of Sindh, and many people lost their assets, while the flood-affected students of the regions will be helped by this scholarship.

On this occasion, USAID and HEC participants appreciated the program arrangements for the scholarship award ceremony. On the other hand, Deputy Director of University Advancement and Financial Assistance Syed Naoman Ali Shah briefed about the program. (PR)

________________

The post Flood-Affected Students Receive Scholarship Under USAID Program first appeared on Sindh Courier.

From Correspondent

Khairpur, Sindh

USAID Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman provided 5000 boxes of nutritional supplements and kits for 30,000 lady health workers of Sindh at a ceremony on Tuesday.

Sindh Government, USAID, PPHI, Pathfinder and Building Healthy Families Activities organized the event to give equipment and nutrition to lady health workers at Kausar Child and Mother Care Hospital Khairpur.

Provincial Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazul Pechoho and Donald Bloom, the US Consul in Pakistan and other officials attended the event.

USAID Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman along with US Ambassador Donald Bloom and Mission Director Reed J. Aeschliman and U.S. Embassy Deputy Spokesperson Tom Montgomery visited Kausar Hospital Khairpur and reviewed the maternal and child health facilities. She also met with individuals and families affected by the 2022 flood.

On this occasion Isobel Coleman announced $16.4 million additional development and humanitarian assistance to support the resilience of communities in Pakistan that experienced 2022’s historically severe floods, which impacted an estimated 33 million people and had a devastating impact on infrastructure, crops, livelihoods, and livestock throughout the country.

She said that this new funding will reach over 20 million flood-affected individuals to assist in their recovery, risk reduction, and resilience.

She said that such assistance will address worsening food insecurity and malnutrition and help curb the spread of disease. In addition, this funding will support humanitarian partners to provide nutritious food to mothers and their children, help families rebuild local infrastructure to protect them from future disasters, and increase protection services to prevent gender-based violence and support survivors.

She said that the Following severe monsoon rains and resultant floods in Pakistan during mid-2022, USAID deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team to lead the U.S. humanitarian response and rapidly provide aid to affected communities.

She said that this included working with partners to quickly scale-up vital humanitarian assistance, including through partnering with the U.S. Department of Defense to successfully complete an air bridge that delivered nearly 630 metric tons of life-saving relief commodities to Pakistan.

The U.S. is one of the largest donors to Pakistan, providing more than $200 million in humanitarian and development assistance since 2022’s catastrophic floods. The United States continues to stand with the people of Pakistan as they recover from the impacts of the historic floods.

Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazul Pechoho said while talking to the media said that USAID Deputy Administrator became very happy to meet with Lady Health Workers who are running their health program well.

The kits will help women, children and men to check blood pressure, as well as equipment for checking children’s weight, health, food and other weaknesses.

Health Minister said that there was no shortage of insulin as insulin are being supplied with the support of PPHI to hospitals.

Parliamentary Secretary for Health Qasim Soomro, PPHI Chief Executive Javed Jagirani, Deputy Commissioner Khairpur Dr. Sharjeel Noor,  Director GIMS Dr. Rahim Bakhsh Bhatti, DHO Khairpur Dr. Bagh Ali Buzdar, MS Khairpur Medical College Dr. Aijaz Samo, Dr. Kulsoom Azad Lashari, Dr. Kanwal Ghajani, Dr. Yar Muhammad Phulpoto  and many other officers were present in the event.

________________

The post USAID Donates 5000 Boxes of Nutritional Supplements and Kits for Lady Health Workers first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Tandojam, Sindh

The Vice Chancellors of 11 universities of Pakistan, including the Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, are on week-long visit to South Korea under the USAID’s Higher Education System Strengthening Activity (HESSA) being implemented by the University of Utah.

There are a total of sixteen HESSA partner universities, of which Vice Chancellors of eleven universities are touring the Korea on an exchange visit program.

Dr. Fateh Marri, Vice Chancellor of Sindh Agriculture University, and Vice Chancellors of other universities will participate in training programs, which are being hosted by the University of Utah, Asia Campus based in Incheon, Republic of Korea.

The Vice Chancellors will be introduced to innovative academic and research practices being followed at the International Global Campus (IGC) in Incheon hosting prominent institutions such as the University of Utah, Stony Brook the State University of New York, George Mason University, and the Ghent University of Belgium.

The Pakistani higher education leadership will interact with the IGC management and governance team to gain a better understanding of best practices in coordinating and strengthening institutional governance systems.

Led by Dr. Aslam Chaudhry, Research Professor of Economics at the University of Utah and Chief of Party HESSA, the study tour also aims to kick-start business and strategic planning for HESSA partner universities. Vice Chancellors will engage in training and discussions on topics such as the development of business plans for the university’s growth and expansion, strategy to achieve established goals and targets, partnership building and resource mobilization, and contingency planning.

Strengthening institutional capacities in strategic planning is crucial for sustainability and will enable the HESSA partner universities to establish programs that will provide students with a good campus experience and make notable contributions towards enhancing graduate employability. (PR)

_____________

The post VCs of 11 Pakistani universities on South Korea’s visit first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Mirpur Khas, Sindh

U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Andrew Schofer led a team of U.S. officials to Sindh province on February 27 to visit U.S.-funded programs that are helping Pakistanis address nutrition, health, and protection challenges caused by the devastating 2022 floods.

The United States has committed more than $200 million in flood relief, disaster resilience, and food security support for Pakistan.  The United States is deeply saddened by the devastating loss of life and livelihoods throughout Pakistan and continues to actively support Pakistan’s recovery.

DCM Schofer and other U.S. officials visited a rural health facility in Mirpur Khas, where UNICEF is providing nutrition and health services with U.S. government funding through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).  DCM Schofer met with UNICEF representatives to better understand how the floods have impacted the overall health situation in Pakistan and to discuss malnutrition concerns.  He also observed the health care services provided to flood-affected populations, including the distribution of U.S.-funded specialized foods to treat severe acute malnutrition.

DCM Schofer also travelled to Geo Koloye village, where additional U.S.-supported health and nutrition services are provided by UNICEF through a mobile clinic.  UNICEF is also raising awareness about child protection and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response services for flood-affected communities at this site. (PR)

______________________

The post American officials visit U.S.-funded Flood Response Program in Sindh first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Tando Jam

The representatives of selected universities of Pakistan, including the teachers of Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), participated in international study tours in USA and Indonesia and attended various events, exhibitions, and workshops, related to higher education, for understanding modern technology, teaching model and methods.

The USAID Higher Education System Strengthening Activity (HESSA) organized two international study tours for 40 representatives of the Higher Education Commission and selected Pakistani universities from across the country on behalf of the University of Utah USA.

Dr. Tahseen Fatima Miano and Dr. Muhammad Naeem Rajput from Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, and other representatives, arrived on an international visit at the Teaching Fellows Institute (TFI) at the University of Alabama USA. The purpose of the first study tour of all representatives is to develop knowledge, skills, and abilities so that they can become effective teachers. The U.S. exchange training is being facilitated by renowned higher education experts Dr. Claire Major, Dr. Steve Burian, Dr. Lisa Pawloski, and Dr. Karri Holley.

The Pakistani faculty participating in this 2-week U.S. visit has completed the teaching and learning online course as well as the high impact practices and collaborative learning workshops. Participants will observe the classrooms and teaching offices of the University of Alabama and other American colleges and universities based in Alabama and participate in a ‘Master Trainer Workshop’.

The second study tour to Indonesia has brought together HEC and HESSA partner universities’ representatives including Dr. Jam Ghulam Murtaza Sahito from Sindh Agriculture University, to introduce successful models of student microenterprise development initiatives in Indonesian universities including Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Universitas Trunojoyo Madura, and Universitas Ciputra.

In addition to meetings with relevant stakeholders in Indonesia, participants will attend an extensive training program to improve and develop student micro-enterprises in Pakistan. In this two-week exchange program, participants will also learn and transfer different models to their students and communities as the core technology of business skills.

The USAID’s Higher Education System Strengthening Activity is a partnership between the Government of Pakistan and USAID to address key challenges in the higher education sector. HESSA is collaborating with HEC and 16 partner universities to build their capacity and bridge the gap between graduate skills and 21st-century workplace needs. (PR)

__________________

The post Pakistan’s university teachers on study tours of USA and Indonesia first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Karachi

U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome visited Karachi from February 12 to 15 and observed the AMAN-23 Naval exercises to further strengthen U.S.-Pakistan cooperation and advance a common vision for peace and stability in the region.  During his visit to Karachi, Ambassador Blome also met with the Chief Minister of Sindh, Commander of the Pakistan Fleet (COMPAK), and the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS).

“I was pleased to observe the AMAN-23 exercises, which promote a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Pakistan,” said Ambassador Blome during his visit.  “We want to further strengthen our maritime security cooperation with the Pakistan Navy to secure freedom of navigation in international waters to facilitate economic activity.  The combined patrol between Pakistan Navy, PMSA (Pakistan Maritime Security Agency), and NAVCENT last October bodes well for our future collaborative efforts.”

AMAN-23 was held concurrently with the Pakistan International Maritime Exhibition and Conference (PIMEC), which hosted trade promotion pavilions relating to the blue economy. AMAN-23 included two components:  the International Maritime Conference (IMC), which was a series of discussion panels about maritime security and trade, and the AMAN-23 naval exercises.

In his meeting with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Ambassador Blome affirmed the importance of the U.S.-Pakistan relationship and discussed opportunities to expand U.S.-Pakistan economic partnership and other shared priorities.  He also traveled to a warehouse where USAID-procured food is stored for distribution to flood affected areas in Sindh and Balochistan.

This food is being given to feed severely malnourished children and is just one example of how the United States has been leading a robust international effort to support the most vulnerable Pakistani communities. To date, the United States has contributed $200 million to the Pakistani people for flood relief, recovery and resilience efforts.

The Ambassador also visited the Quaid-e-Azam House Museum, which was the home of Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah.  The Ambassador noted in the Museum’s Visitor Book, “It is a great honor to be here at the Quaid-e-Azam House in Karachi to pay my respects and commemorate the legacy of Muhammad Ali Jinnah.  The United States shares his vision of a unified, democratic Pakistan, one in which equality, social justice, and economic opportunity prevail.  These ideals gave rise to Pakistan’s creation, and they reflect values that we all hold dear.”

Ambassador Blome and Consul General Nicole Theriot also met with Abbott Laboratories to underscore the importance of U.S.-Pakistan cooperation in the healthcare sector.

The U.S. Mission in Pakistan commends U.S. companies working to ensure that lifesaving medication continues to be available.  The strong bilateral military partnership exemplified by AMAN-23 is just one important example of collaboration between the United States and Pakistan.  The United States is dedicated to expanding the full range of bilateral trade, security, education, people-to-people, and clean energy cooperation.  This promotes a more stable, secure, and prosperous future for both our countries. (PR)

_______________

The post U.S. Ambassador joins AMAN-23 Naval Exercises first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Karachi

Mission Director for United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Reed Aeschliman and Sindh Minister for Health and Population Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho launched a new family planning, maternal, newborn, and child health program.

The U.S. Government-funded $40 million Building Health Families Activity (BHFA) will operate in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to enhance primary healthcare systems. The activity will support voluntary family planning (FP) and improve maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) services in Pakistan.

“The United States has a long history of partnership with the Government of Sindh,” Mission Director Aeshliman said. “USAID is committed to strengthening this relationship by building upon the foundation and legacy of our partnership and a shared goal to save and improve lives.”

Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho lauded the continued support from the U.S. government through USAID and emphasized the Sindh government’s commitment towards improving health care for the people.

Focus on healthcare equity is fundamental to BHFA’s approach, and the activity is committed to addressing the needs of women, girls, and youth as well as people traditionally marginalized from accessing quality healthcare. Making health systems resilient to shocks from climate change is another core focus. The activity will meaningfully engage men and boys, strengthen human resources for health, deploy new digital health solutions, and ensure commodity and supply chain security for FP/MNCH services, eventually contributing to more resilient health systems. (PR)

________________

The post USAID-Funded New Family Planning Program Launched first appeared on Sindh Courier.