Pakistan: Overseas Aid

Mr. Moore
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the (a) nature and (b) financial value was of development assistance given to the Pakistani government in each of the last three financial years; what planned expenditure is on such assistance in the (i) current and (ii) next financial year; which elements of such assistance are under review following the suspension of the Pakistani constitution; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Douglas Alexander
[holding answer 12 November 2007]: DFID’s development assistance to the Government of Pakistan in the last three years has included a mix of financial aid, technical cooperation and humanitarian assistance. This has supported programmes to deliver basic services, improve governance and accelerate income growth.

Expenditure for each of the last three financial years was as follows:

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|       |£          |
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|2004-05|31,377,000 |
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|2005-06|97,413,000 |
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|2006-07|101,118,000|
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Our Pakistan development programme is framed by a 10-year Development Partnership Agreement (DPA) signed in 2006. by Prime Ministers Blair and Aziz. The DPA envisages doubling the UK aid programme over three years to 2010-11, predicated on Pakistani commitments, including the observation of human rights. In light of recent events, our future programme is under review. Our first priority remains the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable people in Pakistan.