LONDON, Nov 16 (APP)-The UK-based international humanitarian organisation-Oxfam-has welcomed the financial commitments made to assist Pakistan’s recovery at the just concluded two-day Pakistan Development Forum in Islamabad.“Although this meeting wasn’t billed as a pledging conference, Oxfam welcomes the financial commitments made to assist with Pakistan’s recovery. These pledges need to be grants that deliver new and substantial humanitarian aid quickly and effectively to the people on the ground who are in desperate need of assistance.
“With winter looming and almost seven million people without shelter, donors must not forget that many parts of Pakistan are still facing a serious emergency even though some areas are moving towards recovery,” Oxfam’s spokesperson said Tuesday.
With regard to tax reform, the organisation welcomed the emphasis on such restructuring especially given that only two per cent of Pakistanis pay tax. However, it noted that this should be a more equitable reform that does not put the burden onto the poorest, those who are least able to pay.
“Any price increase on basic necessities could put post-flood recovery out of reach for the very poor, “ the spokesperson said.
On debt cancellation, the international organization welcomed Pakistan Government’s call to waive off debts. This year Pakistan will spend $2.9 billion on servicing foreign debts, $1 billion more than is being asked for by the UN appeal.
The spokesperson said however the international community and the Government of Pakistan must ensure foreign debt cancellation is spent transparently on the post-flood response, targeting those hit hardest by the floods.
Oxfam also called for land reform which according to it has the potential to reduce inequality, put earning power into the hands of many landless women and end bonded labour.
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