ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13550Executive OrderObama · D

Executive Order 13550

Establishment of Pakistan and Afghanistan Support Office

This executive order establishes the Pakistan and Afghanistan Support Office (PASO) within the Department of State as a temporary organization to coordinate U.S. civilian efforts to strengthen Afghan and Pakistani governance, counter extremism, and maintain diplomatic presence. It absorbs the existing Afghanistan Support Office (ASO) and will terminate at the maximum period allowed under 5 U.S.C. § 3161(a)(1), typically 3 years for temporary organizations.

Federal Register Open PDF 75 FR 51615

Impact dates

  1. PASO termination at end of maximum period permitted by 5 U.S.C. § 3161(a)(1) — typically 3 years from establishment

Key directives

  • Establish PASO as temporary organization within Department of State per 5 U.S.C. § 3161
  • Transfer all ASO personnel, assets, liabilities, and records to PASO
  • Appoint Director of PASO
  • Base PASO in Washington, D.C., Pakistan, and Afghanistan
  • Support civilian control and stable constitutional government in Pakistan
  • Promote capable, accountable, effective Afghan government with limited future international support
  • Stimulate licit economic opportunity in both countries
  • Terminate PASO at end of maximum period permitted by 5 U.S.C. § 3161(a)(1) unless sooner terminated by Secretary

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • PASO established within State Department
  • ASO functions, personnel, assets, liabilities, and records transferred to PASO

Near term (90d)

  • Director appointed by Secretary of State
  • PASO operations begin in Washington, D.C., Pakistan, and Afghanistan

Long term

  • Support for governance capacity-building in Afghanistan and Pakistan
  • Transition planning for Afghan government self-sufficiency in internal security
  • PASO termination at end of statutory maximum period (typically 3 years under 5 U.S.C. § 3161)

Risks & tensions

  • Temporary status (5 U.S.C. § 3161) creates institutional uncertainty for long-term civilian capacity-building mission
  • Dual geographic mandate (Pakistan and Afghanistan) may strain limited civilian resources
  • Vague 'limited international support' benchmark for Afghan self-sufficiency lacks clear metrics
  • Dependent on appropriations availability per Section 5(b), creating funding uncertainty
  • Absorption of ASO into broader PASO may dilute Afghanistan-focused expertise
Executive Order 13550: Establishment of Pakistan and Afghanistan Support Office · Executive Orders