Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
Select Committee
International Development Committee
HC 102
29 April 2022
Government Response (AI assessment · 39 of 39 classified)
Accepted
21
Acknowledged
13
Deferred
2
Rejected
1
Recommendations
3 results
14
Acknowledged
As such, the UK Government should maintain dialogue with the Pakistani Government on the importance...
Recommendation
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 Summary
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.
29
Acknowledged
Para 59
The UK Government should use its diplomatic influence, including its new Special Envoy on LGBT...
Recommendation
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 Summary
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.
31
Acknowledged
Para 66
The FCDO should encourage the Pakistani Government to ensure that the Pakistani authorities take a...
Recommendation
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 Summary
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.
Conclusions (10) Observations and findings — click to expand
1
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 7
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 to reach their potential, at risk. This is at odds …
Government Response Summary
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
Para 14
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 Summary
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
Para 21
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 Summary
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
Para 25
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 in Pakistan, such as improving opportunities for women and girls …
Government Response Summary
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.
24
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 53
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 and child development.
Government Response Summary
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
Para 56
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 disabilities in Pakistan.
Government Response Summary
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
Para 59
LGBT+ people continue to face challenges in Pakistani society, including the criminalisation of same-sex relationships, and discrimination and violence.
Government Response Summary
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.
30
Conclusion
Acknowledged
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 accused and the accused’s family. (Paragraph 66) 36 UK aid …
Government Response Summary
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
Para 73
Religious minorities face obstacles in freely practising their religion and continue to face discrimination and violence within Pakistan society.
Government Response Summary
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
Para 78
In addition, multiple challenges remain for civil society and marginalised groups.
Government Response Summary
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.