Britain to double aid to offset militancy

Islamabad: Britain is to double assistance to Pakistan to £480 million (Dh3.51 billion) by 2011, with greater emphasis on the militancy-plagued border with Afghanistan.

The increase in aid will make Islamabad the second biggest recipient of British aid.

The aid increase was announced by British Secretary of State for International Development, Douglas Alexander, during a meeting with Finance Minister Syed Naveed Qamar in Islamabad, the ministry said in a statement.

"UK assistance will continue to focus on health... and on good governance and earthquake-affected areas' reconstruction," the ministry said, referring to reconstruction of a northern region devastated by an earthquake in October 2005.

Emphasis on education

"There will now be an additional emphasis on assistance to the border areas as well as on education, with more than £250 million being made available to bring 5 million children into school," it said.

Taliban militants battling British and other foreign troops in Afghanistan have sanctuaries in lawless regions along the border, where militants also plot violence in Western countries.

Alexander said Britain had for many years been committed to helping Pakistan fight poverty and aimed to continue to help ensure people had access to better healthcare, schools and job opportunities, the ministry said.

Britain would also provide £50 million to the State Bank to open financial services to poor people, it said.