WB pledges support for social initiatives

Special programme for 2024-27 aims to accelerate development

LAHORE:

The World Bank has expressed its support for a partnership with the Punjab government for poverty reduction, economic and social development, environmental improvement and smog eradication.

The agreement was discussed in a meeting chaired by Senior Provincial Minister Mariyum Aurangzeb and attended by the ministers of education, health, industry, agriculture, local government and irrigation.

Terms were finalised in discussions with a World Bank delegation led by Country Director Najy Benhassine.

The delegation explored areas of cooperation and reviewed various possibilities.

The senior minister remarked that the 'country framework' is the World Bank's international programme that collaborates with partner countries or provincial governments to achieve rapid development in various sectors, including agriculture, health and education.

The objective of participating in the special programme for 2024-27 is to accelerate overall development, covering sectors like agriculture, health, education, IT, youth employment and skills development. Efforts will be made to provide world-class healthcare facilities, address malnutrition in mothers and children, improve health standards, promote family planning education and collaborate in other sectors in Punjab, she noted.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has launched a comprehensive programme to improve Punjab's health system. The initiative includes upgrading 300 health centres and 250 basic health units in rural areas to international standards.

The senior minister emphasised that the provision of doctors, medicines, medical staff and equipment at every government health facility in villages and cities will be ensured.

A programme to provide global-standard IT training and skill development for millions of youth is also progressing.

She said the chief minister's goal is to ensure significant improvements in governance and various sectors for equal development in rural and urban areas.

The senior minister said providing laptops to the youth is opening doors to education and employment. Similarly, Kisan Card has liberated agriculture and farmers from middlemen's exploitation and a plan to convert agricultural tube wells to solar power is being implemented.

She said the government was also implementing a plan he senior minister mentioned that the chief minister is diligently implementing a comprehensive plan to improve the province's economic condition and environment over the next five years.

Najy Benhassine remarked that the Chief Minister's Green Credit Programme is part of the initiative.

The World Bank delegation promised cooperation for economic, social and environmental development. Its members expressed a desire for strong, lasting and comprehensive collaboration with Pakistan to solve common issues.