ISLAMABAD, Dec 1: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has increased assistance to Pakistan from $63 million to $168 million.

This was disclosed by Mark Malloch Brown, the UNDP administrator, during a meeting with Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz, here on Saturday.

Mr Brown appreciated Pakistan government’s efforts for social development, especially in sectors of health, education, good governance, poverty reduction and population planning.

Mr Brown stated Pakistan’s commitment to the reform was a model for several developing countries. He said Pakistan’s principled stand on post-September 11 scenario was appreciated by the international community and in the post-sanctions scenario, Pakistan would be a welcome destination for foreign assistance.

The UNDP was in the process of assessing the immediate, short-term and long-term impact on Pakistan’s resources as a result of influx of Afghan refugees in the NWFP and Balochistan.

The UNDP, Mr Brown said, would continue its assistance for Pakistan and urged the government to continue its structural reforms as these had enabled Pakistan to face the current situation in a stronger position.

Shaukat Aziz informed Mr Brown that the reform agenda of the government was on track. Notwithstanding the impact of September 11 incident, the government was determined to reduce poverty, introduce good governance, increase allocation in the social sector, especially education, health and population welfare.

The minister said the agenda of deregulation to restrict the government’s role to supervisory and regulatory level was being pursued.

He said the government was encouraging public participation through civil societies and NGOs to create awareness among the population about good governance.

Shaukat Aziz said the increased federal allocations during the current financial year for Khushal Pakistan Programme from Rs7 billion to Rs15 billion, education from Rs2.5 billion to Rs4.5 billion, health from Rs2.5 billion to 4.5 billion and school feeding to Rs1 billion proved government’s resolve for optimum utilization of foreign assistance for job creation and welfare of the people.

Euologizing the role of the UNDP in the development of Pakistan, the finance minister said the UNDP was a major donor and its role had been exemplary in capacity building, governance, devolution and human development.

Shaukat Aziz and Mark Malloch Brown also discussed the reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. The minister said Afghanistan needed support from the world community.

The development needs should be driven by the people of Afghanistan with support from the donor agencies, he added.

The meeting was also attended among others by Onder Yucer, the UNDP representative.