Under the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the Punjab government has reached a historic agreement with the World Bank.
This agreement was discussed in a meeting chaired by Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb and attended by ministers of education, health, industry, agriculture, local government and irrigation departments.
During the meeting, terms were finalized with a high-level World Bank delegation led by Country Director Najy Benhassine. The delegation explored areas of cooperation and reviewed different possibilities.
Maryam Aurangzeb remarked that the ‘Country Framework’ is the World Bank’s international program 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 this special program for 2024-2027 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.
The World Bank has expressed its support for a public-private partnership with the Punjab government, aimed at poverty reduction, economic and social development, environmental improvement and smog eradication.
Najy Benhassine remarked that the Chief Minister’s Green Credit Program is part of this initiative. The World Bank delegation praised Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s comprehensive vision for economic, social and environmental development and assured full cooperation.
They expressed a desire for strong, lasting and comprehensive collaboration with Pakistan. Collaborative efforts to solve common issues are the right strategy.
The meeting was also attended bysecretaries and senior officials.
