British Parliament Committee to Investigate Aid Given to Pakistan

IDC’s decision comes after Daily Mail, one of the UK’s largest newspapers, in 2019, had accused former Chief Minister Punjab and PML-N President, Shahbaz Sharif, of siphoning off UK’s aid money intended for the victims of the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan.

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According to details, IDC will determine whether the UK’s strategic aims of its aid to Pakistan are clear and if other aspects of the UK-Pakistan relationship are well-coordinated with the DFID program and its objectives.

It will ascertain up to what extent is the UK aid spending in Pakistan is in accordance with the commitments of the Pakistani government. It will also inquire whether the Pakistani government is directing the UK aid for the betterment of the poorest and marginalized segments of society.

Pakistan has been receiving aid under the DFID program for the last five years and has received £302 million in FY 19-20.

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Pakistan spent 53% of the £302 million on health and education sectors, 29% on economic development, 10% on governance and security, 5% on climate and environment, and 3% on humanitarian projects.

Note that IDC had originally decided to conduct an inquiry of the aid given to Pakistan in June 2019 but failed to do so as British Parliament was dissolved in November 2019.