§ 21. Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance she is giving to the Government of Pakistan to help to set up and maintain ophthalmic services in rural areas. [111193]
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§ Clare ShortWe are not currently giving any such assistance to help set up and maintain ophthalmic services in rural areas of Pakistan. Such services have benefited indirectly in the past from our contributions to Pakistan's Social Action Programme which aims to improve basic social services including health. Since last October's military coup, our development assistance to the Pakistan Government has been frozen. We have advised the new administration that if they make clear commitment to action on poverty reduction—requiring better economic management, action against corruption and an early transition to democracy, we will reinstate our support.