ISLAMABAD: The government is committed to fast-track various projects being funded by the World Bank, a senior official said.
Referring to the K4 project, during a meeting with the World Bank delegation, led by South Asia Regional Director for Infrastructure Guangzhe Chen, Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umar said the government is focusing on the provision of clean drinking water and upgrading the drainage system of Karachi.
Both leaders discussed various infrastructure, energy, clean drinking water, drainage, education, health-related projects being funded by the World Bank.
The minister said the government’s effective measures have significantly curtailed the circular debt.
The government is keen to reform the power sector in the country with a special focus on reducing the circular debt, he said and reiterated that the government is fully committed to implementing structural reforms, protecting social spending, and boosting social safety nets to protect the vulnerable segments of the society.
He also underscored the importance of the World Bank’s assistance for the expansion and modernisation of Pakistan’s electricity transmission system.
Guangzhe Chen commended Pakistan’s efforts, greatly valued its partnership, and supported the energy reform agenda of the present government, including the management of the circular debt and indicative generation capacity expansion plan.
Stressing the importance of road connectivity for rural development, Asad Umer emphasised that effective road networks promote access to social services such as health facilities and education.
During the meeting, the two leaders also discussed the girls’ education ratio in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the facilities provided to them.
The minister said the government is working to revamp the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) with the aim of modernisation of statistical system and to enable it for high-frequency data generation.
The bureau will also be conducting its first digital census in 2023, the minister said, adding that the government will welcome the World Bank’s technical assistance in these areas.
The minister appreciated the World Bank’s support to Pakistan and highlighted the government’s measures to accelerate the work on the projects.
