Pakistan is one of the UK’s top development priorities : Joanna Reid

Lahore: The Government of Punjab and the UK Department for International Development (DFID) met today to coordinate and review UK Aid’s support for the people of Punjab.

The UK’s Department for International Development Pakistan office, which is part of the British High Commission, met with the Planning and Development Department of the Government of Punjab today for high level discussions to review implementation of key programmes of support to the people of the Punjab in areas such as education, health, economic growth, and governance.

Joanna Reid, Head of DFID Pakistan, co-chaired the session with Muhammad Jahanzeb Khan, Chairman of the Planning and Development Department, Government of the Punjab.

Both sides reviewed key programmes and priorities under the 2016-17 provincial budget and looked at ways to link UK Aid’s work to the growth strategy of the provincial government. They also discussed the joint commitment to provide basic services to the people of Punjab.

Joanna Reid said,“Pakistan is one of the UK’s top development priorities. At today’s meeting with the Government of Punjab, we reviewed the positive progress made in the last six months. We focused on linking DFID’s plans with the Provincial Government’s strategy to drive growth and provide basic services to the population.  I am delighted to be able to reaffirm our commitment to continue the UK’s support to the most marginalised communities and vulnerable people across the province of Punjab.

“Since 2011, UK Aid in Pakistan has benefited more than 6.3 million children in primary school education; provided training in new skills for 102,000 people; helped 1.54 million more people access micro-finance loans, including 965,000 women; ensured nearly a million births involved nurses, midwives or doctors; and provided over 4.1 million flood-affected individuals with humanitarian assistance.”