Federal Government
Ministry of Economic Affairs
January 11 and January 25, 2021
The WBG presented the proposed partnership framework (the 5Gs: Girls’ and boys’ education, Growing healthy, Green and clean Pakistan, Growing inclusively, enabled by better Governance) to the Secretary EAD on January 11 and to the Minister on January 25. There was overall consensus on the priority areas identified by the WBG, which converged with the federal government’s development plan. Minister EAD highlighted the importance of focusing on secondary cities, agriculture productivity, education (e.g. cash transfers to support the poorest), investment-driven growth and supporting improved government procedures. A key element of the proposed framework is the management of the portfolio, and WBG and the government will continue to focus more on results and disbursements for the existing portfolio commitments.
Additional discussions are planned with relevant Ministries.
Government of Balochistan
Discussions planned in early February 2021.
Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Preliminary discussions with Finance, Energy and Irrigation, Education and Higher Education
January 14, 2021
Preliminary discussions were held during which there was overall agreement with the proposed Framework. Additional priorities highlighted included revenue management and spending efficiency, water supply management, jobs, digital solutions for agriculture, and hydropower.
Meeting with Key Provincial Secretaries
February 15, 2021
The WBG began its second round of consultations with the KP government. A virtual meeting with provincial secretaries to discuss the World Bank Group’s (WBG) upcoming Country Partnership Framework 2022-2026 was convened by the Planning and Development Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary Planning and Development Department (P&DD) Mr. Shakeel Qadir Khan and by Operations Manager of the World Bank Ms. Melinda Good. WBG presented its proposed partnership framework to the group (the 5Gs: Girls’ and boys’ learning, Growing healthy, Green and clean Pakistan, Growing inclusively, enabled by better Governance) and respective departments shared their views. There was consensus on the key priority areas identified by the WBG as part of its CPF 2022-2026, ACS P &D reiterated the provinces focus on health, education and development of secondary cities. Additional priorities identified included food security, improvements in the agribusiness for creation of opportunities, provision of subsidized electricity. Identifying the need for creation of more student spaces, WASH facilities and reduction in dropout rates as part of the first G (Girls’ and boy’s education). Water and waste management in the rural areas and provision of necessary training and equipment to the teams for solid waste collection. Other topics discussed were improvements in infrastructures which would in turn help increase access to health and education facilities, promotion of eco-tourism and improved governance for better tax collection.
Government of Punjab
Meeting with Planning and Development Department and Key Secretaries
January 22, 2021
The Punjab government shared its key priorities on human development, economic growth and job creation, and the need to reduce regional disparities. Key priority areas included: universal health care, agriculture and irrigation productivity, urban and rural water and sanitation, secondary cities and better regional planning, connectivity and public-private partnerships, especially in infrastructure development of cities. There was overall consensus on the prioritization framework outlined in the CPF (the 5G: Girls’ and boys’ education, Growing healthy, Green and clean Pakistan, Growing inclusively, and Governance), many of which are part of the Bank’s existing portfolio in Punjab. Selectivity was highlighted in order to focus resources on critical priorities.
Meeting with Punjab Chief Minister and Cabinet Members
January 26, 2021
The WBG presented the proposed partnership framework (the 5Gs: Girls’ and boys’ education, Growing healthy, Green and clean Pakistan, Growing inclusively, enabled by better Governance). There was overall agreement by the Chief Minister and key Ministers. The meeting highlighted the need to improve competitiveness and growth, to focus interventions, and examine impact. Some priority areas highlighted included: affordable housing, urban planning with a focus on secondary cities and regional development, public-private partnership solutions, energy grid management, transmission and metering. On the human capital agenda, improved targeting for education interventions, stunting, universal health coverage and the COVID-19 response were discussed. On the economic side, export competitiveness, agriculture productivity (including using technology and digital solutions), tourism, and spatial development were raised. The meeting also highlighted the need for land revenue management and environmental sustainability (tree plantation).
Further working level discussions are planned to drill down on priorities in stunting, housing, rural water and sanitation, revenue mobilization, territorial planning/secondary cities, primary and secondary education interventions and irrigation (small dams).
Government of Sindh
Meeting with Planning and Development Department and Key Secretaries
January 28, 2021
The WBG presented the proposed partnership framework (the 5Gs: Girls’ and boys’ education, Growing healthy, Green and clean Pakistan, Growing inclusively, enabled by better Governance). There was overall consensus on the Framework, and the government reaffirmed its priorities especially for secondary cities (e.g. SMART cities) and territorial/regional growth plan and Karachi. Secretaries highlighted key needs in the education sector (access, quality and governance), increased support for stunting and emergency health care. Other priorities included resource mobilization and facilitation of public-private partnerships, especially in light of fiscal constraints due to the pandemic.
Meeting with Chief Minister Sindh, Ministers and Key Secretaries
January 29, 2021
The WBG presented the proposed partnership framework (the 5Gs: Girls’ and boys’ education, Growing healthy, Green and clean Pakistan, Growing inclusively, enabled by better Governance). There was overall consensus on the Framework, and the government reaffirmed its priorities for the city of Karachi, ease of Doing Business, education (out of school children), stunting and immunization, and agriculture. The government reiterated the need to for an evidence-based approach to enhance education and health outcomes, shared the progress made in child health, and the response to COVID-19. Improving competitiveness and livability of secondary cities and increasing agriculture/rural productivity were highlighted.
Further working level discussions will be held to drill down on priorities in stunting, territorial planning/secondary cities, primary and secondary education interventions and irrigation.
Roundtable on Gender
February 3, 2021
The WBG presented the proposed partnership framework (the 5Gs: Girls’ and boys’ education, growing healthy, Green and clean Pakistan, growing inclusively, enabled by better Governance) to a group of gender champions and experts. Overall, participants were in general agreement with the priority areas identified and highlighted the importance of focusing on the informal sector, implementation of laws regarding gender-based violence and informal or home-based workers, ownership of assets, and promoting conducive workplaces for women. The lack of data was raised as a major constraint, as well as the lack of access to capital and financial literacy of women led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Participants discussed the need for improving education outcomes, using digital solutions and focusing on cities both in terms of employment and human capital outcomes.
Media Consultations
February 8, 2021
The WBG presented the proposed partnership framework (the 5Gs: Girls’ and boys’ education, Growing healthy, Green and clean Pakistan, Growing inclusively, enabled by better Governance). Discussions with representatives from the media outlined the CPF’s focus on social protection and building Human Capital, with the first 2 Gs: Girls’ and boys’ education, and Growing healthy, followed by the 3rd G (Green and clean Pakistan) which aims to address health outcomes and disaster shocks that most affect the poorest and most vulnerable. Among key topics highlighted were the importance and progress of Pakistan’s power sector reform, the country’s improving environment for the Ease of Doing Business, and the IFC’s work to increase private sector and foreign direct investment (FDI).
Consultation with Pakistan Business Council
February 8, 2021
The WBG held a virtual consultation with the Pakistan Business Council to discuss its upcoming Country Partnership Framework 2022-2026. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Ehsan Malik, CEO Pakistan Business Council. WBG presented its proposed partnership framework (the 5Gs: Girls’ and boys’ learning, Growing healthy, Green and clean Pakistan, Growing inclusively, enabled by better Governance) to the PBC. participants talked about the need to streamline procedures, develop secondary cities and manage the impact of climate change. The council identified agriculture as one of its major priority areas, ease of doing business connectivity, digital financial inclusion, and solid waste management. Raising investment, facilitating public-private partnerships (PPPs), implementation of green policies, and streamlining of the taxation regime to expand the listed sector were also discussed. Participants raised the importance of diversifying exports, levelling the playing field to generate investments, enabling access to jobs for women, and financial inclusion of underserved segments.
Consultations with Civil Society Organizations
Sindh
February 9, 2021
The WBG began its round of consultations with the civil society in Sindh. The WBG presented its proposed partnership framework to the group (the 5Gs: Girls’ and boys’ education, growing healthy, Green and clean Pakistan, growing inclusively, enabled by better Governance). Members of the civil society stressed on the importance of having green spaces in Karachi and the need to improve the livability and competitiveness of secondary cities in Sindh. Other concerns included improvement in the education sector specifically improved targeting, a focus on secondary education, demand side interventions and infrastructure needs including water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities for girls. Participants discussed the importance of civil society participation in project design and implementation.
Punjab
February 9, 2021
The WBG presented its proposed partnership framework to the group (the 5Gs: Girls’ and boys’ education, growing healthy, Green and clean Pakistan, growing inclusively, enabled by better Governance) with the civil society in Punjab. Participants highlighted the importance of including vulnerable groups, improving governance and the sustainability of rural systems, increasing renewable energy, reducing deforestation, and evidence-based interventions. Unemployment, plantation for income and fruit security in various areas of Punjab, specifically in Multan. The importance of civil society in promoting better governance and outcomes was discussed, as was the need for improving research and data sharing.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
February 9, 2021
The WBG presented the proposed partnership framework (the 5Gs: Girls’ and boys’ education, growing healthy, Green and clean Pakistan, growing inclusively, enabled by better Governance) to civil society members in KP. Civil society members pointed out that dropout rates have increased in the province due to lack of basic facilities in schools, there is an urgent need to improve WASH facilities and basic infrastructure in the education sector. Increased engagement with civil society, knowledge management and the use of community-based approaches to delivery social services were discussed. Participants highlighted water supply and sanitation issues in urban and rural areas as well as the importance of focusing on land records.
Federal
February 10, 2021
The WBG presented the proposed partnership framework (the 5Gs: Girls’ and boys’ education, growing healthy, Green and clean Pakistan, growing inclusively, enabled by better Governance) to civil society members at the national level. Participants discussed the need to focus on population growth, the promotion of green and renewable energy in Pakistan, holistic approaches to early childhood development, and climate and water sustainability. The importance of moving away from fossil fuels, enhancing regional climate dialogues, community-based approaches, and examining the open governance partnership were highlighted by participants. In addition, increasing urbanization and the development of secondary cities for better employment opportunities and livability was discussed. Civil society members asked about land acquisition methods and the WBG’s Gender Action Plan.
Balochistan
February 10, 2021
The WBG presented the proposed partnership framework (the 5Gs: Girls’ and boys’ education, growing healthy, Green and clean Pakistan, growing inclusively, enabled by better Governance) to civil society members in Balochistan. The focus on primary education was appreciated and participants discussed the need for more teachers, school management, better governance and data-based approaches. Spatial targeting with a focus on Balochistan was requested, increased focus on climate change. All participants brought up the importance of service delivery at the community level by the civil society especially in providing primary healthcare, food security, nutrition, safe drinking water. Other areas highlighted included support for agriculture, training of skilled human resource in the context of CPEC, and livelihood programs.
Last Updated: Feb 18, 2021
