New York meetings: UN envoy pledges funds for education sector

In his meeting with Nawaz, World Bank president assures more investment

NEW YORK: The UN secretary general’s special envoy for global education has pledged to raise funds to increase literacy and improve education in Pakistan.

In a meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Gordon Brown, who is also a former prime minister of Britain, said that under the new scheme, lower-income families sending their children to school would receive help through cash transfers.

Nawaz and Brown discussed issues pertaining to mutual cooperation for the promotion of education in Pakistan. Nawaz assured the UN ambassador that the funds would be utilised strictly for the purpose of education under a transparent and tangible plan.

Separately, the premier discussed social and economic development in Pakistan on the sidelines of the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly with Jim Yong Kim, president of the World Bank. The prime minister outlined efforts made by his government in pursuing reform agenda, building national economy, improving social indicators and enhancing regional connectivity.

World Bank’s record disbursement of $1.7 billion in one year and approval of Country Partnership Strategy for Pakistan with portfolio of $11 billion over four years manifest the potential for development in Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif noted.

Earlier, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon discussed various issues, including the recent floods, the ongoing military operation against terrorist networks, and the Kashmir issue with the prime minister.

Nawaz briefed Ban on efforts undertaken by his government to provide relief to the flood victims in the affected areas in Punjab and throughout the country. The two leaders welcomed the completion of electoral process in Afghanistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 27^th, 2014.