Islamic Relief believes that unfair and crippling debt is trapping individuals, communities and countries in poverty. Islamic Relief supports economic development for poor communities and works with them to provide healthcare, education, water and sanitation and promote sustainable livelihoods.

Unlocking the Chains of Debt shows that Pakistan’s government foreign debt burden has doubled since 2006 to $58 billion. It warns that annual repayments are set to increase dramatically to $6 billion a year – over 20% of export revenues, and more than half what Pakistan currently spends on health and education combined.