Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any development funds are directed towards the rebuilding and provision of running water or electricity to Islamabad's shanty towns; and if not, why not.

The UK’s work in Pakistan is focused on peace and stability, making democracy work, jobs and growth and providing basic services.

UK aid prioritises support for the poorest and most excluded people and communities in Pakistan, thus DFID Pakistan’s bilateral programmes focus on provinces with the highest numbers of poor people and on strengthening the capacity of those provinces to deliver basic services to their populations. This includes supporting the provision of electricity and engaging with the governments regarding adequate water provision.

While we recognise that there are poor people living in Islamabad, without access to electricity or running water, they cannot be our focus. We expect the Islamabad Capital Development Authority to support them with support received at national level from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.