ISLAMABAD, Sept 7: The United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) is committed to poverty alleviation in Pakistan and recognises the crucial role of civil society in nation building.

These views were expressed by DFID’s head, Yousaf Samiullah, at the inauguration of the 8th All Members’ Meeting (AMM) of the Human Resource Development Network (HRDN), here on Friday.

Mr Samiullah, a development counsellor for the British High Commission in Pakistan, was the chief guest on the occasion.

He said the UK government had scaled up its aid to Pakistan in the last few years and DFID was among the largest bilateral donors, with a 100 million pounds per year aid programme, which was likely to double by 2010.

Talking about DFID’s commitment to social development and HRDN’s role in highlighting issues, Mr Samiullah said DFID had supported HRDN’s efforts and provided 40,000 pounds for two international HRD congresses.

He lauded the HRDN’s work in bringing issues to the policy- making level and gearing up positive changes in society. Alluding to the dialogue, being organised by the HRDN on the issue of ‘Social justice, good governance and human development: Beyond slogans,’ he said social justice and good governance could propel development in Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, the HRDN chairperson, Roomi S Hayat, said that although HRDN is a network of development professionals but after the Oct 8, 2005 earthquake, it went into service delivery, to support the people affected in the NWFP and AJK. He said HRDN membership was swelling each year.

Israrul Haq, a member of HRDN’s board of directors, also highlighted HRDN’s achievements since its inception in 2000.

The annual two-day event was attended by 175 delegates, mostly HRDN members, working in key positions in the development sector.