Focusing on the intricate politics of US foreign aid to Pakistan, the book explores three significant periods: the Cold War, the post-Cold War era, and the 'war on terror'. It delves into how geopolitical interests and shifting alliances influenced aid distribution, revealing the complexities of international relations and the strategic motivations behind American support for Pakistan throughout these critical historical phases.
Pakistan plays a crucial role in China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multibillion-dollar investment plan aimed at enhancing energy, industry, and communication infrastructure. With an investment exceeding USD 46 billion, CPEC is anticipated to significantly boost socio-economic development and alleviate poverty in Pakistan. This research investigates the extent to which China adheres to its declared principles of international development cooperation—such as mutual respect, non-conditionality, equality, local capacity building, and addressing the actual needs of partner countries—during the implementation of these projects. Utilizing primary data collected from fieldwork in Pakistan, the study explores the relationship between China's official narrative and its on-ground practices in development cooperation. CPEC exemplifies South-South Cooperation (SSC), where developing countries collaborate to achieve mutual development through shared knowledge and resources. The analysis employs a framework developed by the Network of Southern Think Tanks, which operationalizes various issues related to SSC's quality and effectiveness through five dimensions and 20 indicators. These parameters assess the alignment of China's foreign aid policy with SSC principles, focusing on national ownership, horizontality, self-reliance, accountability, and development efficiency. This research
This study explores the significance of an "enabling environment" characterized by good governance and effective public financial management (PFM) in mobilizing resources essential for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) necessitates substantial financial resources, which depend on a supportive institutional and policy framework. An environment with strong governance and efficient PFM can facilitate the mobilization of both domestic and external resources needed for the SDGs. Conversely, ineffective PFM systems, rampant corruption, and low transparency hinder resource mobilization for sustainable development. The study identifies four primary financing sources: domestic, international, public, and private. Although these sources have expanded recently, they remain insufficient for the successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The paper evaluates the importance of enabling environments for sustainable development globally and applies this framework to a case study in Pakistan. It examines the operationalization of the 2030 Agenda at the country level, focusing on how the quality of governance impacts domestic resource mobilization (DRM) and the attraction of foreign financing, such as development cooperation and foreign direct investment (FDI). The findings underscore the need for consistent, locally-driven efforts and strong political will to enhance governance
