I last discussed the security situation in Pakistan and the Federally-Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) with President Zardari on 11 May 2009. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials based at our high commission in Islamabad also continue to hold frequent discussions with a wide range of Pakistani Ministers, politicians and officials. We continue to encourage Pakistan to ensure that military gains in the border areas are underpinned by a comprehensive strategy that brings lasting security through reconstruction, development and improved governance. We have shared expertise and best practice with the Government of Pakistan, and as part of our wider programme of defence engagement we have helped to build the capacity of the Pakistani security services to conduct effective operations.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last discussed the security situation in Pakistan and the Federally-Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) with President Zardari on 11 May 2009. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials based at our high commission in Islamabad also continue to hold frequent discussions with a wide range of Pakistani Ministers, politicians and officials. We are pressing the Government of Pakistan to design and implement a long-term comprehensive strategy for improving governance, justice and services in the FATA. We continue to support Pakistan’s efforts to reform the judicial system, build effective policing services and address the drivers of radicalisation. The Department for International Development’s programme of £665 million over the next four years will include programmes focussed on the border areas, and will help to addressing the underlying causes of conflict and insecurity. During the EU-Pakistan summit on 17 June 2009, we and our EU partners made a commitment to enhance our support of Pakistan’s efforts to counter violent extremism. We will encourage the EU Commission to deliver its commitments to build police capacity, help counter radicalisation and to promote judicial reform.
The UK, together with our EU partners, condemned the murder of five women in Baluchistan in July 2008, and called on the Government of Pakistan to bring those responsible to justice. We welcomed the resolution adopted by Pakistan's Senate for strong action to be taken against the perpetrators.
Through both multilateral and bilateral representation, we continue to encourage the Government of Pakistan to promote and protect women's rights in accordance with international standards such as the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women which Pakistan has signed. The UK delegation to the UN Human Rights Council also raised this during the Universal Periodic Review of Pakistan's human rights record in May 2008.
Through our high commission in Islamabad we support projects which promote women's rights and help obtain better access to justice, for example by supporting community-based lawyer-activists who represent women in cases of forced marriage, domestic violence and other crimes; encouraging the creation of a lawyers' network of human rights advocates with prominent women advocates; improving investigative journalism in Pakistan to encourage impartial reporting on political, electoral and human rights issues; and raising awareness and teaching of human rights, including women's rights, in schools.