Select committee: International Development Committee
Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan
HC 102
Published 29 April 2022
International Development Committee UK aid to Pakistan Report on parliament.uk ↗
At a glance17 recommendations and 22 conclusions · Government response published 4 November 2022 (deadline 29 June 2022)
The government's response
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.
The government says its aim is to move Pakistan from a "traditional aid relationship to a mature development partnership", with fewer, smaller development objectives, while continuing support for girls, women and marginalised groups.
- On the committee's call for long-term programmes, it says it "recognise[s] the importance of long-term approaches", and states that programme types and duration are based on the best available evidence and fit with UK priorities and the overall ODA budget allocation.
- On the Integrated Delivery Plan, it says the plan was replaced in 2021 by a Country Plan, which is "an internal document", and that a "light-touch review" of the Country Business Plan will take place "in the next few months".
- On NGO operating space, it commits that the FCDO "will write to the Committee within nine months to update on progress as requested".
- On nutrition, it says it has "exited bilateral ODA finance of nutrition" because other donors are active, while continuing to fund UN agencies that provide nutrition policy and services.
What the committee recommended 39
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Sources
- Sixth Report - UK aid to Pakistan ↗The committee's report, HC 102, parliament.uk
- Third Special Report - UK aid to Pakistan: Government Response to the Sixth Report of the Committee, Session 2021–22 ↗The government's response, 4 November 2022, parliament.uk
Recommendations and conclusions 39
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1
Despite the numerous development challenges continuing to face marginalised communities in Pakistan, UK bilateral aid... Conclusion (the committee's words)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 with the UK Government’s objectives in Pakistan, especially with regard to its prioritisation of girls’ education.
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2
The UK Government should direct its bilateral ODA spending in Pakistan strategically towards supporting marginalised... Recommendation (the committee's words)The UK Government should direct its bilateral ODA spending in Pakistan strategically towards supporting marginalised groups reach their full potential.
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3
It is vital that UK aid partners understand the aims and strategy of UK aid... Conclusion (the committee's words)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.
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4
Consequently, the FCDO should publish its most up-to-date iteration of the Integrated Delivery Plan for... Recommendation (the committee's words)Consequently, the FCDO should publish its most up-to-date iteration of the Integrated Delivery Plan for Pakistan.
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5
Aid programmes are most effective when different donors ensure that they complement each other in... Conclusion (the committee's words)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.
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6
UK aid should strive to adopt a joined-up strategy in Pakistan through collaboration with other... Recommendation (the committee's words)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.
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7
Long-term aid programmes often represent better value for money than short-term projects, especially in areas... Conclusion (the committee's words)Long-term aid programmes often represent better value for money than short-term projects, especially in areas such as education.
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8
In order to drive inclusive and transformative development in Pakistan, the FCDO should focus its... Conclusion (the committee's words)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.
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9
Aid programmes are more effective when they are run by or involve local organisations and... Conclusion (the committee's words)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 clear that INGOs should still involve local organisations and people in aid programmes wherever possible.
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10
Consequently, we recommend that, wherever possible, the FCDO should consider the benefits of delivering UK... Recommendation (the committee's words)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 local NGOs and larger and more experienced INGOs.
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11
There is a shrinking space for INGOs and NGOs in Pakistan, who are seen as... Conclusion (the committee's words)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.
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12
The FCDO should work with the Pakistani Government and use diplomatic means to ensure that... Recommendation (the committee's words)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 Committee within nine months to update us on their progress on this area.
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13
UK aid programmes focused on supporting the development of an open society do not always... Conclusion (the committee's words)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 and minorities. However, the Committee are aware that there has been a change in federal Government in Pakistan, and it is not yet clear how the newly formed Government will address the challenges noted in this chapter.
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14
As such, the UK Government should maintain dialogue with the Pakistani Government on the importance... Recommendation (the committee's words)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 National Commission on Human Rights.
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15
Like much of the world, Pakistan has been significantly impacted by covid-19. Conclusion (the committee's words)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.
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16
The FCDO should continue to carry out aid programmes aimed at helping covid-19 recovery, particularly... Recommendation (the committee's words)The FCDO should continue to carry out aid programmes aimed at helping covid-19 recovery, particularly addressing the impact among marginalised communities, especially children.
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17
Food insecurity remains a development challenge in Pakistan. Conclusion (the committee's words)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 empowerment for women and girls.
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18
Consequently, the FCDO should continue to fund programmes which tackle nutrition challenges, such as stunting... Recommendation (the committee's words)Consequently, the FCDO should continue to fund programmes which tackle nutrition challenges, such as stunting within Pakistan, especially amongst girls.
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19
The aid cuts and the subsequent delays threaten to undermine the UK Government’s education goals... Conclusion (the committee's words)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.
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20
While we welcome the FCDO’s ongoing commitment to girls’ education and the economic empowerment of... Conclusion (the committee's words)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.
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21
Building upon existing work, the FCDO should continue to fund and develop UK aid programmes... Recommendation (the committee's words)Building upon existing work, the FCDO should continue to fund and develop UK aid programmes in education and economic empowerment for women and girls.
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22
It is important that UK aid programmes are fully inclusive and target all communities, including... Recommendation (the committee's words)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.
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23
The FCDO should proactively target future aid interventions towards getting more of the most marginalised... Recommendation (the committee's words)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.
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24
UK aid in Pakistan has funded vital family planning projects. Conclusion (the committee's words)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.
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25
The FCDO should continue its work on family planning in Pakistan and reconsider cuts to... Recommendation (the committee's words)The FCDO should continue its work on family planning in Pakistan and reconsider cuts to UK aid programmes in this area.
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26
People with disabilities continue to face challenges in Pakistan, including in access to education. Conclusion (the committee's words)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.
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27
As we collected evidence for this inquiry before the release of this new strategy, the... Conclusion (the committee's words)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.
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28
LGBT+ people continue to face challenges in Pakistani society, including the criminalisation of same-sex relationships,... Conclusion (the committee's words)LGBT+ people continue to face challenges in Pakistani society, including the criminalisation of same-sex relationships, and discrimination and violence.
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29
The UK Government should use its diplomatic influence, including its new Special Envoy on LGBT... Recommendation (the committee's words)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 must be allowed to be fully inclusive.
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30
Evidence given to our inquiry suggested that blasphemy laws in Pakistan are frequently misused to... Conclusion (the committee's words)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.
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31
The FCDO should encourage the Pakistani Government to ensure that the Pakistani authorities take a... Recommendation (the committee's words)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.
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32
Religious minorities face obstacles in freely practising their religion and continue to face discrimination and... Conclusion (the committee's words)Religious minorities face obstacles in freely practising their religion and continue to face discrimination and violence within Pakistan society.
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33
The FCDO should ensure that programmes that they fund are fully inclusive and make a... Recommendation (the committee's words)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.
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34
It is clear that women and girls and minority groups face particular challenges in Pakistani... Conclusion (the committee's words)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.
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35
We recommend that the FCDO adopts an explicit focus on the impact of aid programmes... Recommendation (the committee's words)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 challenges faced by those who belong to intersecting groups, such as women and girls from religious minorities.
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36
In addition, multiple challenges remain for civil society and marginalised groups. Conclusion (the committee's words)In addition, multiple challenges remain for civil society and marginalised groups.
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37
As such, the FCDO should continue to designate Pakistan as a human rights priority country. Conclusion (the committee's words)As such, the FCDO should continue to designate Pakistan as a human rights priority country.
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38
Pakistan already hosts the second highest number of refugees in the world. Conclusion (the committee's words)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.
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39
The FCDO should ensure that the Pakistani authorities receive the necessary assistance and resources to... Recommendation (the committee's words)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.