UK aid to Pakistan
International Development Committee
Closed
Inquiry
Report & Government response published The International Development Committee launched an inquiry examining UK aid to Pakistan. Pakistan is the top bilateral recipient of UK aid and faces a range of complex development challenges. This inquiry explored the range of development interventions in the country, considering whether the UK’s aid …
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17
Recommendations
22
Conclusions
1
Report
4
Oral sessions
3
Letters
4
Events
Activity timeline 13 events
4 Nov
2022
2022
30 Aug
2022
2022
29 Apr
2022
2022
Report published
23 Nov
2021
2021
Oral evidence
23 Nov
2021
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
29 Jun
2021
2021
Oral evidence
29 Jun
2021
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Virtual meeting
22 Jun
2021
2021
22 Jun
2021
2021
18 May
2021
2021
Oral evidence
18 May
2021
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Virtual meeting
2 Mar
2021
2021
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
23 Nov 2021
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UK aid to Pakistan
Annabel Gerry · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
The Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
29 Jun 2021
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UK aid to Pakistan
Asma Balal · Marie Stopes Society, Pakistan
Kamyla Marvi · British Asian Trust
Professor Javaid Rehman · Brunel University
Professor Mariz Tadros · The Coalition for Religious Equality and Inclusive Development (CREID)
18 May 2021
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UK aid to Pakistan
Adnan Junaid · International Rescue Committee
Amir Ramzan · British Council
Fajer Rabia Pasha · Pakistan Alliance for Girls Education
2 Mar 2021
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UK aid to Pakistan
Dr. Farzana Shaikh · Chatham House
Rahul Roy-Chaudhury · International Institute for Strategic Studies
Reports 1 report · click to expand
| Title | HC No. | Published | Items | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan | HC 102 | 29 Apr 2022 | 39 | Responded |
Recommendations & Conclusions
13 results
1
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
Despite the numerous development challenges continuing to face marginalised communities in Pakistan, UK bilateral aid...
Despite the numerous development challenges continuing to face marginalised communities in Pakistan, UK bilateral aid spending in the country has dramatically decreased since 2016. We heard evidence about how this puts the future development of marginalised groups, and their ability …
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Government Response
The government states that the decreased ODA funding reflects Pakistan's development gains and lower middle-income status. UK aid is targeted towards vulnerable groups and the government is transitioning to broader partnerships to support these groups.
8
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
In order to drive inclusive and transformative development in Pakistan, the FCDO should focus its...
In order to drive inclusive and transformative development in Pakistan, the FCDO should focus its aid programming in Pakistan on long-term interventions rather than short-term projects.
Government Response
The government recognises the importance of long-term approaches and states its efforts aim to tackle structural issues for sustainable growth and poverty reduction, using programmes, policy interventions and political lobbying.
11
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
There is a shrinking space for INGOs and NGOs in Pakistan, who are seen as...
There is a shrinking space for INGOs and NGOs in Pakistan, who are seen as promoting a foreign agenda. The restrictions on and harassment towards NGOs in Pakistan threatens the success of UK aid programmes there.
Government Response
The government acknowledges the constrained operating space for civil society in Pakistan and states it continues to engage with the Government of Pakistan and international partners to develop a more conducive environment for CSOs.
13
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
UK aid programmes focused on supporting the development of an open society do not always...
UK aid programmes focused on supporting the development of an open society do not always fit with the policy objectives of the Pakistani Government. However, progress in this area is key to supporting other core elements of UK development work …
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Government Response
The UK continues to engage with the Government of Pakistan to prioritize policy and programme interventions which support open societies and improve opportunities for women, girls and minority groups, raising the issue in early meetings with the new government.
14
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
As such, the UK Government should maintain dialogue with the Pakistani Government on the importance...
As such, the UK Government should maintain dialogue with the Pakistani Government on the importance of an open society, including the need for civic spaces and religious and media freedom. As part of this, the FCDO should increase support to …
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Government Response
The government says it is in regular dialogue with Pakistan promoting an open society, including religious and media freedom. They engage regularly with Pakistan’s National Commission on the Status of Women and Pakistan’s National Commission on Human Rights and will continue to advocate for greater operational independence and better resourcing of these Commissions.
24
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
UK aid in Pakistan has funded vital family planning projects.
UK aid in Pakistan has funded vital family planning projects. However, despite its own statements reiterating the importance of family planning in Pakistan, UK aid spending has been cut in this area, leading to worse outcomes for women and girls …
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Government Response
The government acknowledged family planning as a 'best buy' investment and a priority, stating that while the budget has been reduced, they remain one of the largest donors and have reached 1.7 million people between April 2021 and March 2022.
27
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
As we collected evidence for this inquiry before the release of this new strategy, the...
As we collected evidence for this inquiry before the release of this new strategy, the FCDO should provide a detailed explanation of how this new strategy will impact UK aid programming to improve the rights and lives of people with …
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Government Response
The FCDO states that in Pakistan they intend to build on the legacy UK aid programmes in this area and ongoing work on human rights, implement across the portfolio in line with the new strategy, maintain a focus on women and girls, including those with disabilities, and are committed to acting at multiple levels.
28
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
LGBT+ people continue to face challenges in Pakistani society, including the criminalisation of same-sex relationships,...
LGBT+ people continue to face challenges in Pakistani society, including the criminalisation of same-sex relationships, and discrimination and violence.
Government Response
The government reiterated its opposition to discrimination and commitment to championing the rights of LGBT+ people, emphasizing the need to manage interventions carefully and in collaboration with communities to avoid doing harm.
29
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
The UK Government should use its diplomatic influence, including its new Special Envoy on LGBT...
The UK Government should use its diplomatic influence, including its new Special Envoy on LGBT Rights, to persuade the Pakistani Government to not enforce anti- LGBT+ legislation, and to encourage a change in social attitudes. It should also make clear …
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Government Response
The UK Government states it is fundamentally opposed to all forms of discrimination and continues to champion the rights of LGBT+ people, urging the international community, including Pakistan, to address discrimination. They regularly engage members of the Pakistani transgender community to understand the challenges they face and ensure that they are designing appropriate interventions based on need.
30
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
Evidence given to our inquiry suggested that blasphemy laws in Pakistan are frequently misused to...
Evidence given to our inquiry suggested that blasphemy laws in Pakistan are frequently misused to settle personal disputes and to target religious minorities. Claims of blasphemy are often not supported by adequate evidence and can lead to violence towards the …
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Government Response
The government raises the misuse of blasphemy laws with the Pakistani Government at the highest levels, presses for speedy and fair trials, and urges authorities to ensure the safety of those released.
31
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
The FCDO should encourage the Pakistani Government to ensure that the Pakistani authorities take a...
The FCDO should encourage the Pakistani Government to ensure that the Pakistani authorities take a more rigorous approach towards evidence collection for these crimes and to offer greater protection for people accused of blasphemy and their families.
Government Response
The government raises the misuse of blasphemy laws with the Pakistani Government at the highest levels, presses for speedy and fair trials, and urges authorities to ensure the safety of those released.
32
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
Religious minorities face obstacles in freely practising their religion and continue to face discrimination and...
Religious minorities face obstacles in freely practising their religion and continue to face discrimination and violence within Pakistan society.
Government Response
The government acknowledges the misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan and states that they raise this issue privately with the Government of Pakistan at the highest levels, press for speedy and fair trials, and urge the Pakistan authorities to ensure the safety of those released.
36
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
In addition, multiple challenges remain for civil society and marginalised groups.
In addition, multiple challenges remain for civil society and marginalised groups.
Government Response
The government acknowledges the challenges faced by civil society and marginalised groups, and states that they prioritise the targeting of marginalized groups, especially women and girls.
Government Response AI assessment · 39 of 17 classified
Accepted
21
Acknowledged
13
Deferred
2
Rejected
1
Total
17 recs + 22 conclusions
Correspondence 3 letters
30 Aug 2022
From committee
Letter to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs regarding flooding in Pakistan August 2022 - 30 August 2022
Parliament page
22 Jun 2021
From committee
Letter to Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for South Asia and the Commonwealth regarding the use of the death penalty in Pakistan - 24 May 2021
Parliament page
22 Jun 2021
To committee
Letter from Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for South Asia and the Commonwealth regarding the use of the death penalty in Pakistan - 11 June 2021
Parliament page