The Political Economy of the United States Economic Growth Programme in Pakistan

This paper examines the US assistance for economic growth in Pakistan since 2002. Delving into the political economy of the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) economic growth programme, this paper appraises the effectiveness of economic growth projects and their impact on the economy of Pakistan by analysing donor's project execution mechanisms and priority areas for economic development. This study finds that despite USAID's proclamation of spurring growth through their neoliberal-oriented interventions, the economy has shown a gloomy picture in recent years and hence questions the perception that foreign aid can spur economic growth in recipient countries. Copyright (c) 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.