Australia-Pakistan Aid partnership agreement signed

Islamabad: Pakistan and Australia Monday signed an aid partnership agreement for the prosperity stability and poverty reduction in the country.

According to a press statement issued here Australia-Pakistan Aid Partnership Arrangement 2016-2025 was signed by Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Margaret Adamson and Secretary Economic Affairs Division (EAD) Tariq Bajwa on behalf of their respective governments.

The arrangement underpins the continuation of Australia’s long-term Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Pakistan confirming Australia’s commitment to support Pakistan in building its economic prosperity and to promote sustainable equitable development.

Australia is also providing scholarship for higher education and fostering institutional linkages besides supporting Pakistan in times of humanitarian crisis.

The Australian government is providing an estimated AU$47.0 million development assistance to Pakistan in 2016-17. Through this arrangement Australia and Pakistan jointly acknowledge financial aid to Pakistan through government platforms and support through international organisations and registered NGOs.

Australia’s aid partnership aligns with and supports Pakistan’s development policy Vision 2025 as well as Australia sown development policy of promoting prosperity reducing poverty and enhancing stability and is aligned with our mutual international commitments including on gender equality and human rights Adamson said.

On this occasion Secretary EAD urged Australian high commissioner to continue to partner on development projects that align with Pakistan’s priority needs including in agriculture water resource management clean energy health and nutrition.