On 27 September Norway reversed a decision to freeze development assistance to Pakistan which has kept the level of assistance to that country at a minimum for several years.

Priority areas that will benefit from the resulting increase will include the social sector (health and education) and democracy-building (human rights and anti-corruption). Norwegian assistance will target the poor as well as refugees from Afghanistan in the regions along Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan. "Education for Afghani refugees in Pakistan is an important part of the effort to rebuild Afghanistan," says Ms. Johnson.

Norwegian assistance will be provided through several channels. "In addition to state-to-state cooperation, we will also work with NGOs and international organizations," says Ms. Johnson.

Ms. Johnson will meet with Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf in Islamabad later today (1230 hours Norwegian time).

For more information contact Jon Mørland, Head of Information, tel.: 90 77 02 06