Search the Internet          Tips  Links: Terror in America

Britain announces £15 million aid for Pakistan

Britain on Thursday announced a 15 million pound package to assist Pakistan in dealing with the humanitarian crisis that has been exacerbated by the influx of Afghan refugees following the US strikes.

British Secretary of State for International Development Clare Short announced the grant, Online news agency reports.

On a two-day visit to Pakistan, Short met President Pervez Musharraf and Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz to discuss how Britain could support Pakistan in implementing economic and social reforms and in preparing for elections.

Short also announced that Britain would increase its aid to Pakistan to 45 million pounds per year for the next two years.

"This government has made very real progress in implementing reforms and this increase in funding will continue so long as that effort is seen to be effective and to deliver benefits to poor people in Pakistan," Short said.

Short discussed proposals with Aziz to write off service payments on a 20 million pound debt that Pakistan owes to the Commonwealth Development Corporation and to consider the cancellation of the debt if economic and political progress is guaranteed.

The financial pledges top the 11 million pounds Britain has provided since September 11 to alleviate the refugee crisis.

"The humanitarian situation in the whole region is very serious and the next few weeks are critical if we are to avoid a disaster. Millions of people are facing the prospect of famine. But there has been a great international effort to meet this challenge and the outlook is looking better," Short said.

Indo-Asian News Service

The War on Terrorism: The Complete Coverage

The Terrorism Weblog: Latest Stories from Around the World

External Link:
For further coverage, please visit www.saja.org/roundupsept11.html

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report