Reviewing implementation status of RAAST, the Caretaker Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar on Wednesday highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in achieving sustainable development goals and inclusive growth.
During a meeting with Country Lead (Pakistan), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Syed Ali Mahmood, and Chief Executive Officer, Karandaaz, Waqas ul Hasan, she welcomed the contribution of their organizations in this regard.
The minister highlighted government’s commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth, attracting investments, and addressing socio-economic challenges in the country.
The Minister thanked the BMGF for its assistance on RAAST and the integrated social safety net programme and welcomed the idea of signing a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize the future support on Digital Pakistan Stack.
The meeting was aimed at reviewing the implementation status of Raast-Pakistan Instant Payment System support provided by the BMGF, integrated social safety net programme and BMGF’s offer for assistance on the Digital Pakistan Stack. Other potential areas of collaboration including climate finance and upscaling conditional cash transfers to integrated social payments also came under discussion.
On the occasion, Waqas ul Hasan, CEO Karandaaz briefed the Minister on Raast-Pakistan Instant Payment System support provided by the BMGF through Karandaaz and outlined the key features of the Digital Pakistan Stack i.e. next generation of Raast supported Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) which Pakistan can introduce with Foundation’s help.
