Foreign Aid: A Double-Edged Sword – A Case Study of Community Development in Pakistan
Keywords:
Foreign Aid, Soft Power, Policy Autonomy, Self-Sufficiency, Community DevelopmentAbstract
This study explores how donor countries strategically utilize foreign aid as a soft power instrument to impact Pakistan’s domestic and foreign policies, as well as the socio-economic and political outcomes. Using a qualitative case study approach or thematic analysis, it analyzes aid patterns from the U.S., China, and multilateral organizations, highlighting their geopolitical and economic motives. While aid supports education, healthcare, infrastructure, and community development, it often leads to dependency and policy compromises. The study concludes that Pakistan must reduce reliance on conditional aid, diversify security and economic partnerships, and prioritize trade and self-sustaining initiatives to achieve long-term growth and community resilience.
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Data Availability Statement
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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Copyright (c) 2024 Aleena Saif Ullah (Author)

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