[4] During this period, Pakistan became a member of the South East Asian Treaty Organization (SEATO) and the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO), after a Mutual Defence Assistance Agreement signed in May 1954, which facilitated increased levels of both economic and military aid from the U.S.[4] In 1958, Ayub Khan led Pakistan's first military coup, becoming Chief Martial Law Administrator (CMLA) and later President until 1969.
[4] Civilian governance of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto resumed from 1971 to 1977, during which the U.S. offered modest economic support and withheld military aid as Pakistan finalized its constitution, establishing a parliamentary democracy.
[4] In April 1979, President Jimmy Carter halted all aid, excluding food assistance, due to Pakistan's efforts to establish a uranium enrichment facility, following Symington Amendment.
[4] However, following the September 11, 2001 attacks, all U.S. sanctions were removed, and Pakistan, having aligned with the U.S. in the War on Terror, received substantial increases in both economic and military assistance.
[5] In 2011, the Obama administration suspended more than one-third of all military assistance, totaling approximately $800 million due to Osama bin Laden-related controversy.
[1] This reduction encompassed funds designated for military hardware and reimbursements for specific Pakistani security expenses, including $300 million allocated for counterinsurgency efforts.
[6] Access to these funds by Islamabad would be contingent upon Pakistan taking stronger action against terror networks within its borders that were conducting attacks in neighboring Afghanistan.
[8] The Pakistani military indirectly received U.S. aid during the Afghan war, with official funds designated for refugee rehabilitation and infrastructure development.
[8] U.S. aid to Pakistan has been characterized by a pattern of higher allocations during periods of military rule and reduced or negligible support during democratic governance.