Pakistan gets €350m aid from UK
Britain will give Pakistan £240m (€349.1m) over the next three years to help it fight poverty and promote government accountability.
The funds are also aimed at improving primary education and health care facilities, British International Development Minister Gareth Thomas said in the capital Islamabad today.
Mr Thomas, who held talks with Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, hailed the country’s economic recovery, but added: “The challenge will be to ensure that the fruits of economic growth benefit the poor.”
The British funds will support projects in eastern Punjab province and the North West Frontier Province.
About a third of Pakistan’s 150 million people live in poverty. Corruption in the government is also regarded as widespread and bureaucrats often seen as inaccessible to citizens.
Pakistan has enjoyed an influx of foreign aid since it decided to support the US-led war against terrorism in late 2001.
