200,000 voices for Pakistan
This week ONE was part of a campaign coalition that delivered a petition signed by over 200,000 people (including more than 60,000 ONE members) calling for Pakistan’s debt to be frozen. This sent a strong message from members of ONE and our campaign partners Oxfam, Avaaz and Jubilee Debt Coalition, that rich countries should ensure Pakistan has as much of its own resources possible to spend on reconstruction after the devastating floods earlier this year.
The 202,381 person strong petition was delivered at the Pakistan Development Forum in Islamabad, a meeting of countries who provide aid to Pakistan, where the issue of debt and long term poverty reduction was being discussed. Stephen Engelken, a senior US Diplomat in Pakistan, received the petition and passed our message on to representatives from other countries and the IMF (the international institution which oversees countries’ debt).
The current position of these countries is that they aren’t prepared to freeze or help with the debt until Pakistan’s Government makes it clear it will spend the money to help those affected by the floods. However they are leaving the door open for a positive decision in the near future.
Two things need to happen next: the Pakistan Government should establish a clear and publicly transparent fund, demonstrating how debt money will be spent on reconstruction and helping those that have been affected, and showing how it will account for this. And rich countries need to make clear that resources freed up by help with Pakistan’s debt support is used to assist those affected by the floods, in an open, transparent way with clear monitoring. Campaigners in Pakistan and around the world will continue to put pressure on both sets of Governments to do this.
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About the Blog
The International ONE Blog is a daily log of the anti-poverty movement. The site is operated by ONE staff, with guest contributions from ONE volunteers, members and allies.
The content of each post and each comment represents the views of that author and does not necessarily reflect the views of ONE. ONE does not support or oppose any candidate for elected office, and any post expressing support or opposition for a candidate is not endorsed by ONE.
22/11/2010 at 5:34 am
In the best interest of Pakistan, all loans/debts should be written off. Till a positive decision is taken, its better tofreeze present debts, providin Pakistan, some breathing space.
24/11/2010 at 8:44 am
I agree. Transparency will ensure better utilization of aid and freezing debts in crises will decrease the burden on the citizens of Pakistan. However, transparency, monitoring and evaluation will only promote long term stability and development in under develop countries.
29/11/2010 at 10:39 am
The best mode for the countries interested to help Pakistan would be, not to part with a single penny directly, instead pay the debts/loans on its behalf. Isn’t it funny the Pak Govet still hasen’t been able to satify the countries willing and able to extend support.
12/12/2010 at 2:49 am
I agree
12/12/2010 at 10:09 am
The Shameless Rulers of our country have already forgotten the flood victims like a bad nightmare and God knows how much property has already been purchased in UK/US Middle East by these corrupt Government Leaders by misusing the flood donations. The local media is highlighting the plight of these unfortunate people but the Govt is not doing enough.
Holly Wood Actress Angelina Jolie also had visited Pakistan at the flood time and she had expressed her extreme dissatisfaction on our shameless Prime (Read Crime) Minister’s action where he had over nightly and urgently flown all the members of his family by First Class flights from his native city just to have their photo session with Angelina. And all his photos with Angelina were slapped on the local media to publish and telecast. Angelina Jolie even expressed regret that the dinner hosted by the Prime Minister for her was so lavish and extra ordinary that she was surprised that the country is in crisis and people are dying with hunger and the Prime Minister is least bothered about it.
After reading her comments, my head just bent down in shame and embarrassment. This is the kind of example our leaders are setting in front of the world.
Not that I am discouraging you people from your noble intention but honestly, in my opinion, this leaders’ mafia is like a black hole. No matter, how much donations and grants you pour in, it will disappear like it never existed. Any help done directly for the affected people is only considered a guaranteed help. Wiping off the loans, stopping the repayment is not going to help the real needy people. It will only make room for more debts. In my opinion, the donations and funds given by countries and people around the world are quite sufficient to help the affected people, provided that corruption does not take place. Loan write offs will lead to more loans procured. Begging and borrowing is the only skill this incompetent Government is good at!
01/04/2011 at 3:19 pm
A Helper always get help
01/04/2011 at 3:21 pm
I want to earn 200,000