Country Director of the World Bank Rachid Ben Massaoud calls on CM Punjab

Lahore: Country Director of the World Bank Rashid Ben Masud held a farewell meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif here today. Matters of mutual interest and ongoing programmes for uplift of social sectors were discussed on the occasion.

The Chief Minister said that various programmes for development of social sectors are running successfully in Punjab with the cooperation of the World Bank. He said that Punjab government has introduced revolutionary reforms for the improvement of education, health and other social sectors which are yielding far-reaching results. He said that target has been fixed for increase in growth rate for raising the living standard of the masses and the government is following the policy of balanced development of urban and rural areas.

He said that special attention is being paid to the uplift of backward areas of the province. He said that more resources have been allocated for the districts of south Punjab than the ratio of population while information technology is being fully utilized for the capacity-building of provincial departments.

The Chief Minister further said that Pakistan especially Punjab and the World Bank are collaborating in various sectors which is yielding positive results. He said that the World Bank is extending full assistance to Punjab in education, health, skills development and energy projects. Shahbaz Sharif said that Punjab government wants to further promote cooperation with the World Bank in education, health, skills development disaster management, energy and other sectors.

He said that Land Record Management Information System is being implemented in Punjab with the cooperation of the World Bank and this revolutionary project of public welfare is an important step towards promotion of transparency and corruption-free culture.

He said that 60 percent population of Pakistan comprises youth and Punjab government has taken revolutionary measures for their empowerment while unprecedented programme for youth have been started in the field of education. Moreover, he said, 50 thousand youth are being imparted different skills in accordance with the market needs every year under Skills Development Programme. He said that the World Bank is extending commendable cooperation for the construction of water reservoirs in north Punjab and it can promote further cooperation with regard to construction of small dams in this region.

Country Director World Bank Rashid Ben Masud said that Punjab government is taking effective measures for institutional reforms. He said that Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has made laudable efforts for the welfare and betterment of people of the province and his work for the uplift of social sectors is deeply appreciated.

Provincial Minister for Finance Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Chairman Planning & Development, Additional Secretary Energy and Secretary Finance were also present on the occasion.