Recommendations & Conclusions
17 items
1
Conclusion
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
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. Response: Levels of UK ODA funding reflect the development gains Pakistan has made, with UK support, and its progress to lower middle-income country status. UK aid in Pakistan is carefully targeted towards delivering development impact for Pakistan’s most vulnerable groups. …
2
Conclusion
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
The UK Government should direct its bilateral ODA spending in Pakistan strategically towards supporting marginalised groups reach their full potential.
Government response. UK aid to Pakistan: Government Response to the Sixth Report of the Committee, Session 2021–22 v Response: We welcome IDC’s emphasis on inclusion of marginalised groups throughout their report. Please see the response to the committee’s related recommendations 22, 34 …
3
Conclusion
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
It is vital that UK aid partners understand the aims and strategy of UK aid in Pakistan in order to carry out their work as effectively as possible.
Government response. Response: The recently published International Development Strategy (IDS) sets out the UK’s approach clearly. We will convene a series of discussions with UK aid partners in Pakistan to promote the IDS and how it applies to UK aid in Pakistan. …
6
Conclusion
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
UK aid should strive to adopt a joined-up strategy in Pakistan through collaboration with other donors, to ensure that aid programmes complement and amplify each other.
Government response. Response: The British High Commission in Islamabad works with other donors locally to seek to ensure a joined-up approach, which aligns strategic and sectoral work in all areas of UK aid spending. The UK’s strategy is informed by what other …
8
Conclusion
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
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. Response: We recognise the importance of long-term approaches to achieving inclusive and transformative development in Pakistan. Working through programmes, policy interventions and political lobbying, the UK government’s efforts aim to tackle structural and systemic issues to deliver sustainable growth, stability …
10
Recommendation
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
Consequently, we recommend that, wherever possible, the FCDO should consider the benefits of delivering UK aid programmes through local NGOs in Pakistan. Where this is not possible, the FCDO should involve local organisations and communities in the planning and implementation of aid programmes by INGOs, or consider creating partnerships between …
Government response. Response: Local organisations and communities are embedded in UK aid programme delivery. There is a strong network of local NGOs in Pakistan which are engaged in programme UK aid to Pakistan: Government Response to the Sixth Report of the Committee, …
11
Conclusion
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
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. Response: The operating space for civil society remains extremely constrained in Pakistan. Organisations are subject to registration requirements and require no-objection certificates (NOC) before undertaking activities. Freedom House (2022) rates Pakistan as ‘Partly Free’, suggesting that there are selective restrictions …
13
Conclusion
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
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. viii UK aid to Pakistan: Government Response to the Sixth Report of the Committee, Session 2021–22 Response: The UK continues to engage with the Government of Pakistan to prioritise policy and programme interventions which support open societies and improve opportunities …
14
Recommendation
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
Acknowledged
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 Pakistan’s National Commission on the Status of Women and its …
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 …
18
Conclusion
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
Consequently, the FCDO should continue to fund programmes which tackle nutrition challenges, such as stunting within Pakistan, especially amongst girls.
Government response. Response: The UK are convenors of the Health, Population, and Nutrition Development Partners Group in Pakistan, and in this role we facilitate health sector policy coordination between donors, multilateral agencies and NGOs, including on nutrition and food insecurity. Other donors …
20
Conclusion
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
While we welcome the FCDO’s ongoing commitment to girls’ education and the economic empowerment of women and girls in Pakistan, we are concerned about the effect of the cut to UK aid programmes in this area on women and girls.
Government response. x UK aid to Pakistan: Government Response to the Sixth Report of the Committee, Session 2021–22
27
Conclusion
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
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. Response: The new FCDO Disability Inclusion and Rights Strategy 2020–2030 was launched in February 2022. The strategy reaffirms the UK’s commitment to act as a global leader on disability inclusion and sets out FCDO’s approach towards 2030. In Pakistan we …
29
Conclusion
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
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 to all providers and the Pakistani Government that aid programmes …
Government response. Response: The UK Government is fundamentally opposed to all forms of discrimination. We continue to champion the rights of LGBT+ people and urge the international community, including Pakistan, to address discrimination, including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender …
32
Conclusion
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
Acknowledged
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 …
33
Conclusion
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
The FCDO should ensure that programmes that they fund are fully inclusive and make a particular effort to reach religious minorities. The FCDO should also undertake a religious diversity audit of UK aid programmes in Pakistan.
Government response. Response: We recognise that religious minorities face obstacles in freely practising their religion and continue to face discrimination and violence in Pakistan. We consistently advocate for minority rights and provide direct support through programming and welcome any steps taken by …
34
Conclusion
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
It is clear that women and girls and minority groups face particular challenges in Pakistani society and those belonging to multiple groups often face intersecting and compounded discrimination.
Government response. Response: Since the IDC published its report on Pakistan, the Pakistan Network Gender Strategy (2022–27) has been adopted and makes specific commitments for targeting women and girls who face intersecting vulnerabilities due to disability, religion or other protected characteristics. In …
36
Conclusion
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
Acknowledged
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.