Following the executive order issued by President Donald Trump, the US has temporarily halted aid to Pakistan.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which oversees the federal budget, said in an order that the freeze would remain in place until the administration ensures they are consistent with the Republican president's priorities.

Trouble for Pakistan

As part of a 90-day foreign aid suspension, the Trump administration on Tuesday moved to halt the distribution of drugs for HIV, malaria and tuberculosis, as well as medical supplies for newborns, to countries supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development.

According to the US Embassy in Islamabad, US aid also helps preserve historical buildings, archaeological sites and museums. Five energy sector-related projects in Pakistan have also been halted due to the Trump administration's decision.

Military aid was banned

Apart from this, four projects related to economic development have also been affected. One of these, the Social Protection Activity Program, was to end in 2025. Let us tell you that during his first term, Trump had stopped the military aid to Pakistan.

It is feared that some of these programs will be stopped permanently or reduced significantly. However, Pakistani officials have not yet confirmed the impact of stopping aid to Pakistan under Trump's executive order.

Ban on grants and loans too

• Let us tell you that US President Donald Trump on Tuesday banned all federal grants and loans. His decision may disrupt education, health, poverty alleviation programs, housing assistance, disaster relief and many other schemes, which depend on billions of dollars of federal aid.
• The White House says the freeze does not include payments for Social Security and Medicare or direct aid to people. That means food aid programs for the poor will not be affected.

Challenge to Trump's order

Four groups of nonprofits, public health professionals and small businesses filed a petition on Tuesday challenging the order, saying it would have a devastating impact on billions in grants.

Attorneys general of Democratic states have also threatened to challenge the order in court. The Democratic Party has called the ban on grants and loans illegal and dangerous. Chuck Schumer, leader of the Democratic Party in the Senate, said that the administration does not have the right to ban expenditure approved by the Parliament.