Aid from the Aussies

Despite appearances, not all the help Pakistan receives comes from China. As part of their policy to encourage developmental projects to alleviate poverty and improve healthcare and education levels, several other countries provide aid too. Most recently, on December 19, Pakistan signed a 10-year aid partnership programme with Australia which is intended to promote stability and prosperity. The government of Australia has pledged AUD47 million in assistance in FY 2016-17. According to the Australian High Commission, this financial support and its intended usage aligns with Pakistan’s strategic developmental vision for 2025 while also promoting Australia’s international commitments of gender equality and provision of human rights. The current aid programme is part of Australia’s long-term Official Development Assistance and is part of Australia’s long-term support for developmental initiatives in Pakistan.

The Australian government has already pledged its support for the Sustainable Development Initiative Portfolio, which was initiated in 2013 to improve the usage of food, water and energy in order to build the capacity of the Pakistan government officials to meet its requirements for these resources in a more sustainable manner. Australia has already invested AUD4million in phase one of the project and will provide a further AUD11 million for phase two. Considering the fact that Pakistan is one of the countries which will face an acute shortage of water in the future due to both climate change and a growing population, learning how to manage resources is imperative. All around the world, both developed and developing countries have woken up to the reality of life in which basic necessities like clean water and food are set to become even more scarce as the years go by. Meanwhile our growing energy needs also require efficient management. Therefore Australia’s support is appreciated and it is hoped that it will prove useful for the people of Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2016.

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