DEPARTMENT FOR
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT News Release issued by The Government
News Network on 3 July 2008
The fight against
poverty in Pakistan is to be stepped up with a doubling of UK
assistance to £480 million by 2011, International Development
Secretary Douglas Alexander announced today.
On a visit to Islamabad, Mr Alexander published the UK's new
Country Plan, outlining help for the Government of Pakistan. This
will make Pakistan the recipient of the UK's second largest
aid programme worldwide by 2011. UK assistance will continue to
focus on health - including the battle against diseases like TB
and polio - and on good governance and earthquake reconstruction.
But there will now be an additional emphasis on assistance to the
border areas as well as on education, with more than £250 million
being made available to bring five million children into school
and to increase training opportunities for young people.
Mr Alexander said: "The United Kingdom has long been a great
friend of Pakistan. Our two countries are united by a shared
history and strong cultural and economic ties.
"We have been committed to helping Pakistan's efforts
in the fight against poverty for many years. Our aim is to
continue to help improve poor people's lives in key areas,
making sure they have access to better healthcare, schools and
employment opportunities."
The announcement was welcomed by the Pakistan Minister for
Finance, Syed Naveed Qamar, who said: "We greatly acknowledge
DFID's strategy, which is marked by a common approach of
identifying short and medium term priorities to fight poverty in
Pakistan and help achieve the target of the Millennium Development Goals.
"We also remember their timely and generous assistance of
£128 million extended for the relief and reconstruction of the
October 2005 earthquake affected areas."
As part of its commitment, the UK Government will provide £50
million to the State Bank of Pakistan to support a new drive to
open up financial services to poor people - to encourage wealth
and job creation by making available loans and access to bank accounts.
Notes to editors
1. DFID's objectives in Pakistan are to work in partnership
with the Government of Pakistan, provincial Governments, the
international community and other donors to bring enduring and
sustainable benefits to the poor.
2. DFID's priorities are around giving people access to
better health and education, making government more effective and
ensuring growth works for everyone and that the international
community delivers better together.
3. In November 2006, the UK and Pakistan signed a 10-year
Development Partnership Arrangement and the UK committed to
doubling aid to Pakistan for the period 2008-2011.
For further information go to http://www.dfid.gov.uk
DFID, the Department for International Development: leading the
British government's fight against world poverty. For more
information subscribe to our e-bulletin at http://www.dfid.gov.uk/feedback/