Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
International Development Committee
HC 102
Published 29 April 2022
Recommendations
4
Rejected
Para 10
Consequently, the FCDO should publish its most up-to-date iteration of the Integrated Delivery Plan for...
Recommendation
Consequently, the FCDO should publish its most up-to-date iteration of the Integrated Delivery Plan for Pakistan.
Government Response Summary
The government states that the Integrated Delivery Plan was replaced by a new Country Plan that captures the full range of UK activity in Pakistan, including security, economy and trade, consular assistance and political engagement, but that the Country Plan is an internal document.
10
Consequently, we recommend that, wherever possible, the FCDO should consider the benefits of delivering UK...
Recommendation
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 …
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12
Accepted
Para 21
The FCDO should work with the Pakistani Government and use diplomatic means to ensure that...
Recommendation
The FCDO should work with the Pakistani Government and use diplomatic means to ensure that INGOs and NGOs, especially the UK’s aid partners, are able to undertake development work in the country without barriers. The FCDO should write to the …
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Government Response Summary
The UK will continue to engage with the Government of Pakistan to encourage space for NGOs and INGOs to undertake development work and the FCDO will write to the Committee within nine months to update on progress.
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.
16
Accepted
The FCDO should continue to carry out aid programmes aimed at helping covid-19 recovery, particularly...
Recommendation
The FCDO should continue to carry out aid programmes aimed at helping covid-19 recovery, particularly addressing the impact among marginalised communities, especially children. (Paragraph 34) Development challenges in Pakistan
Government Response Summary
The government states that they already spent £88.2 million responding to Pakistan's COVID-19 response in 2020, with specific allocations to humanitarian programs, economic growth, education, governance, and support for helplines for vulnerable people.
21
Accepted
Para 47
Building upon existing work, the FCDO should continue to fund and develop UK aid programmes...
Recommendation
Building upon existing work, the FCDO should continue to fund and develop UK aid programmes in education and economic empowerment for women and girls.
Government Response Summary
The government states they are already supporting women's economic empowerment through programmes like Enterprise and Assets Growth (EAGR) and bringing together wider UK capabilities to help Pakistan mobilise foreign savings and drive economic growth and job creation, including for women.
22
Accepted
Para 48
It is important that UK aid programmes are fully inclusive and target all communities, including...
Recommendation
It is important that UK aid programmes are fully inclusive and target all communities, including marginalised groups and those considered less employable. This is crucial to ensuring that no one is left behind.
Government Response Summary
The government states they target interventions carefully to reach communities most in need and describes a range of UK aid programs focusing on tackling multi-dimensional exclusion in Pakistan, including support for legislation, community interventions, education, health, and the Benazir Income Support Programme.
23
Accepted
Para 48
The FCDO should proactively target future aid interventions towards getting more of the most marginalised...
Recommendation
The FCDO should proactively target future aid interventions towards getting more of the most marginalised women and girls, including from rural and hard-to-reach communities, into school and actively involved in the economy.
Government Response Summary
The government refers to related responses and states that women and girls are a priority in the International Development Strategy. They have developed a Pakistan Network Gender Strategy (2022–27) to increase our focus on women and girls, including those who experience multiple vulnerabilities.
25
Accepted in Part
Para 53
The FCDO should continue its work on family planning in Pakistan and reconsider cuts to...
Recommendation
The FCDO should continue its work on family planning in Pakistan and reconsider cuts to UK aid programmes in this area.
Government Response Summary
While the budget has reduced, family planning remains a priority for the UK and the government remains one of the largest donors in this sector in Pakistan, reaching about 1.7 million people between April 2021 and March 2022.
35
Accepted
Para 77
We recommend that the FCDO adopts an explicit focus on the impact of aid programmes...
Recommendation
We recommend that the FCDO adopts an explicit focus on the impact of aid programmes on marginalised and minority communities and develops further specific aid programmes in country targeted at these groups. The FCDO should take into account the particular …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that impact assessment work across their portfolio helps to ensure that the needs of marginalised groups are considered and included, that their diplomatic engagement raises the results of these assessments, and that specific programmes such as the Aawaz II programme target human rights work to support the most marginalised.
39
Accepted
The FCDO should ensure that the Pakistani authorities receive the necessary assistance and resources to...
Recommendation
The FCDO should ensure that the Pakistani authorities receive the necessary assistance and resources to be able to cope with refugees fleeing from the crisis in Afghanistan. (Paragraph 82) UK aid to Pakistan 37
Government Response Summary
Since late 2021, the UK has provided £7 million to WFP, UNICEF, UNHCR and IFRC to support preparedness and response for the arrival of new refugees from Afghanistan to Pakistan, also working within a donor group and supporting Pakistan’s strategy for Afghan refugees.
Conclusions (28)
1
Conclusion
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 …
2
Conclusion
Para 7
The UK Government should direct its bilateral ODA spending in Pakistan strategically towards supporting marginalised groups reach their full potential.
3
Conclusion
Para 10
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.
5
Conclusion
Para 12
Aid programmes are most effective when different donors ensure that they complement each other in a joined-up approach. Our evidence suggested that this isn’t always the case in Pakistan.
6
Conclusion
Para 12
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.
7
Conclusion
Para 14
Long-term aid programmes often represent better value for money than short-term projects, especially in areas such as education.
8
Conclusion
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.
9
Conclusion
Para 17
Aid programmes are more effective when they are run by or involve local organisations and people due to their integration into and acceptance by local communities. However, we accept that it may be more appropriate for large INGOs to operate some larger aid programmes, especially in emergencies. Nevertheless, it is …
11
Conclusion
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.
13
Conclusion
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 …
15
Conclusion
Para 34
Like much of the world, Pakistan has been significantly impacted by covid-19. It is clear in Pakistan that marginalised and vulnerable groups have been disproportionately affected.
17
Conclusion
Para 38
Food insecurity remains a development challenge in Pakistan. As adequate nutrition is central to maintaining progress in key areas for development such as health, education, and economic growth, failing to have a joined-up strategy towards nutrition undermines the UK Government’s work in other areas, such as in education and economic …
18
Conclusion
Para 38
Consequently, the FCDO should continue to fund programmes which tackle nutrition challenges, such as stunting within Pakistan, especially amongst girls.
19
Conclusion
Accepted
The aid cuts and the subsequent delays threaten to undermine the UK Government’s education goals in Pakistan, particularly to support the rebuilding of Pakistan’s education system to be more inclusive for girls and the most marginalised communities following the impact of covid-19. (Paragraph 43) UK aid to Pakistan 35
Government Response Summary
The government states that Pakistan has resources to address key education reforms and that their continued support will focus on providing technical expertise to support governments to improve access to education and quality of learning with a focus on girls and the most marginalised, as well as supporting catch-up learning post pandemic.
20
Conclusion
Para 47
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.
24
Conclusion
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.
26
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 56
People with disabilities continue to face challenges in Pakistan, including in access to education. We welcome the FCDO’s commitment to disability inclusive development, including through the former DFID’s strategy for Disability Inclusive Development and its new FCDO disability inclusion and rights strategy.
Government Response Summary
The government states they are implementing the FCDO’s inclusion and rights strategy in Pakistan, working with partners to ensure access for people with disabilities and referencing specific examples like scholarships and accessible ramps in schools, as well as support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
27
Conclusion
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.
28
Conclusion
Para 59
LGBT+ people continue to face challenges in Pakistani society, including the criminalisation of same-sex relationships, and discrimination and violence.
29
Conclusion
Para 59
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 …
30
Conclusion
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 …
31
Conclusion
Para 66
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.
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.
33
Conclusion
Para 73
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.
34
Conclusion
Para 77
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.
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.
37
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 78
As such, the FCDO should continue to designate Pakistan as a human rights priority country.
Government Response Summary
The government states that Pakistan is already a FCDO Human Rights priority country.
38
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 82
Pakistan already hosts the second highest number of refugees in the world. It is important that countries capable of helping carry the financial and practical burden do so.
Government Response Summary
The government states that the UK is working with other donors to support Pakistan and UNHCR to protect and support Afghan refugees in Pakistan, and Pakistan has received World Bank funds for refugee hosting areas.