Britain gives Pakistan £1bn to fight extremism

from the Times Online

Zahid Hussain in Islamabad

Britain is doubling its aid to Pakistan to almost $1 billion, reflecting concern over rising Islamic militancy which threatens the battle against the Taleban in neighbouring Afghanistan.

About a third of the money is expected to be spent in provinces abutting the porous western border, where the Taleban and other militant forces are increasingly challenging the authority of the government.

Douglas Alexander, the International Development Secretary, today announced the £480 million package that will make Pakistan the second largest recipient of British aid by 2011.

More than £250 million will be earmarked for education, with plans to get five million Pakistani children into school and to boost training opportunities for young people.

Much of the extra money will on improving schools in the border areas, in an attempt to tackle poor levels of literacy, particularly among girls, which lag far behind Pakistan’s already low rate of about 50 per cent. There are hopes that such programmes will help the Pakistani government counter the influence of the radical madrassas which have become seedbeds of Islamic militancy.

“You can’t have any real successful efforts to counter radicalism without education,” said Robert Templer, director of the Asia Program at the International Crisis Group. “It’s desperately needed. If this area isn’t dealt with, it's going to be a festering problem for decades to come.”

It is the first time that significant funding will be channelled towards Baluchistan and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, with a big increase also going to North West Frontier Province, all areas which serve as a base for militants linked to the Taleban and al-Qaeda. Thousands of Pakistani troops are currently engaged in fighting the insurgents responsible for cross-border attacks on Nato forces.

Development work in these areas, considered unsafe for Western aid workers, is likely to pose a significant challenge. Regional hostility to outsiders has increased since US missile attacks on the suspected militants inside Pakistani borders. Most of the money will be channelled through central and local government, DfiD said, while acknowledging that corruption would be a problem.

“We have been committed to helping Pakistan’s efforts in the fight against poverty for many years,” Mr Alexander said. “Our aim is to continue to help improve poor people’s lives in key areas, making sure they have access to better healthcare, schools and employment opportunities.”

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