British Minister of State for the Department for International Development (DFID) Gareth Thomas visits Pakistan next week to launch 236 million Sterling Pounds Country Assistance Programme to help it reduce poverty, officials said. Thomas would be visiting Islamabad from Feb 28 to March 3. The development programme would be for three years. This is to help Pakistan ensure that fruits of its development trickle down to the poor people, officials said. During his visit, Thomas would call on Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and discuss with him how to ensure growth in Pakistan benefits the poor people in Pakistan. The British minister would also hear from Aziz how the Local Government system was working in Pakistan. Besides he will discuss with the Prime Minister damages wrought by recent floods in Pakistan. During his stay in Islamabad, Thomas would also meet Federal Ministers and senior officials and discuss with them issues relating to poverty, education and health.