Call on the Foreign Minister by UK Secretary of State for International Development

(2013-01-22)

Secretary of State for International Development of the United Kingdom, Justine Greening, called on Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar today.

Foreign Minister Khar welcomed Secretary Greening on her first visit to Pakistan since assuming office in September, 2012. The two dignitaries discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including UK development assistance to Pakistan, as well as regional and international issues.

The Foreign Minister apprised Secretary Greening of the steps that the democratic government in Pakistan had taken for ensuring the right to education under the 18th Amendment of the Constitution.

Under the Operational Plan for Pakistan, the UK Department for International Development (DFID) would provide almost £1.4 billion (from 2011-2015), which makes Pakistan the largest recipient of UK development assistance in the world. The Foreign Minister expressed her gratitude for the generous development assistance for the education and health sectors in Pakistan. She also appreciated the leading role played by the UK in the European Union for granting Pakistan greater market access through the Autonomous Trade Preferences package.

Secretary Greening expressed satisfaction at the programmes managed by the Department for International Development (DFID). She also acknowledged the steps taken by the Government of Pakistan in promoting human rights, especially towards protection of women’s rights.

Islamabad
22 January 2013

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