Pakistan

The development in Pakistan is important, not only to the country itself, but also to the region and globally. To Norway, Pakistan is of great importance due to strong interpersonal relations, private sector cooperation and development cooperation.

Focus in the development cooperation:

• Education
• Good governance
• Health
• Culture
• Human rights
• Gender equality

Great humanitarian efforts

The worst flood in 80 years changed the agenda for development work in Pakistan.

The flood has claimed 1 600 lives. Six million people have lost their homes. Roads, bridges, schools and entire villages have been destroyed. One fifth of the country is under water. As many as 20 million people are affected by the flood. The livelihood of millions of people has been washed away, and the country's already weak economy has been severely hit. The country's authorities have estimated that it will cost at least USD 15 billion (NOK 96 billion) to rebuild the damaged infrastructure. Pakistan is heavily-indebted and does not have this amount of money.

Norway is channelling its funding through organisations that have long experience of humanitarian work and are familiar with conditions in the country. The UN is one of the most important channels as it ensures that efforts are well coordinated and well matched to the victims' needs.

The Norwegian funds have also been used for the following:

• Shelter, distribution of tents and plastic sheets, protection of vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and women, through the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
• Water and sanitation, nutrition, health, education and protection of children through the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
• Distribution of food and clean water, hygiene measures and the establishment of safe areas for children to play, through the Rahma Islamic Relief Fund.
• Water and sanitation measures through Norwegian Church Aid.
• Food, water and sanitation facilities as well as emergency medical services and a mobile hospital with 18 nurses and doctors through the Norwegian Red Cross, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Education

Giving girls access to education is a priority for Norway. The Basic Education Improvement Project (BEIP) has therefore been granted NOK 31 million for reconstruction of girls' schools after the flood.

As a result of previous years' efforts, more girls are enrolled in school both in the north-western border province and in the Punjab province. Enhancing the teachers' competence has also been a priority. 22 000 primary school teachers have received pedagogic training, 3 100 headmasters have received leadership and administrative training, and schools committees have been reactivated.

Dialogue

Leaders from various religious groups gathered through the Norwegian Church Aid's dialogue programme. The religious dialogue continues. The World Council of the Religions (WCR) stands behind this initiative to increase cooperation and dialogue between different religious groups and belief communities. The work has gained moral support from the authorities.

Developing a curriculum for the religious schools, the so-called Koran schools which receives Norwegian support, has also been a part of the programme.

Women's rights

The constitution of Pakistan prohibits discrimination based on gender. Nevertheless it is a fact that women have a weak position and obtain a considerably lower score than men on most social and economic parameters. Norway supports measures to promote women's labour rights and women's rights in society in general, including work to secure women relevant vocational training. The efforts to improve women's opportunities for paid employment continue through training projects in the textile industry and in modern animal husbandry for women in rural areas. One example is the cooperation with the organisation Aga Khan Cultural Service in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Norway supports a UN programme on women's empowerment. Among other things, this programme has funded the training of 23 000 female leaders and 12 000 mayors (nazims).

Human rights

Serious violations and deficiency mark the human rights situation in Pakistan. Failure to provide equal protection under the law, arbitrary execution of power, corruption, violence, poverty, discrimination and inadequate efforts to secure social and economic rights are prevalent factors of the Pakistani society.

Women and children are especially vulnerable to injustice, but awareness of women's rights is growing. Norway supports the work of local organisations when it comes to children's rights. Furthermore, Norway cooperates with Human Rights Commission Pakistan.

Good governance

Pakistan has introduced several reforms in the justice sector and public administration, but there is a long way to go in order to secure normal rights and access to services for the entire population. A large Norwegian supported project has been started in the Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa province. The purpose of the project is to strengthen the local authorities' ability to promote social and economic development.

Miscellaneous:

• Norway increases support to regional development policy and environment initiatives such as South Asia Water Initiative (SWAY) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountains Development (ICI MOD).
• Telenor has the largest Norwegian business investment in the country. This telecommunication giant has invested several billion Norwegian kroner in Pakistan, and now holds a market share of 25.5 per cent.