Islamabad, August 29, 2025:
Pakistan is reeling under the fury of monsoon floods that have displaced over 20,000 people and claimed more than 800 lives since June. Amid this humanitarian disaster, sharp criticism has emerged against the Shahbaz Sharif government for failing to utilize $11 billion in foreign aid promised by global lenders and allies in 2022.
Prominent Pakistani economist Waist Chima expressed anger at the government’s inability to design reliable projects for flood rehabilitation and reconstruction, which resulted in only $2.8 billion being used out of the $11 billion package.
Why Experts Are Furious
Chima revealed that in 2022, international institutions like the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Islamic Development Bank, and the United States pledged significant aid. However, the government failed to present clear, accountable projects to unlock the funds.
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World Bank pledged $2.2 billion → only $1.6 billion utilized
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Asian Development Bank pledged $1.6 billion → only $513 million used
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AIIB pledged $1.1 billion → just $250 million accessed
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Islamic Development Bank pledged $600 million → $231 million used
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Paris Club pledged $800 million → only $139 million received
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United States pledged $100 million → just $70 million reached Pakistan
Chima stressed that Pakistan’s bureaucratic inefficiency and lack of accountability discouraged international lenders from disbursing funds.
Missed Opportunity
“The world was ready to help us, but we could not provide credible projects. We lost not only billions in pledged aid but also credibility in front of the global community,” Chima said.
He warned that this failure has left Pakistan unprepared for the recurring floods, worsening the economic burden on its citizens.
Economic Concerns
Chima also questioned Pakistan’s long-term economic vision, pointing out that the government’s claims of reaching a $3 trillion economy by 2047 are unrealistic given the current inability to manage aid and disaster recovery.
“How can we become a major economy of the century when we cannot even use promised funds to protect our people?” he asked.
The Bigger Picture
As Pakistan faces yet another flood crisis, experts argue that the government’s inability to absorb and utilize foreign aid has deepened the suffering of its citizens. With growing criticism at home and abroad, the Shahbaz government now faces tough questions on governance, accountability, and preparedness for climate-driven disasters.
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