ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asserted that his government was striving hard to turn challenges into opportunities through well-conceived economic planning, good governance and consistency in policy implementation.
The Pakistani government has been pursuing the agenda of development and reform with a strong commitment with special focus on plans for energy and poverty eradication. Talking to a delegation led by World Bank Managing Director Sri Mulyani Indrawati on the sidelines of London Conference, PM Nawaz Sharif lauded the World Bank support for Pakistan to strengthen business environment, especially in the provinces, to improve productivity of farms and businesses, and make cities more growth-friendly. He said that energy sector and infrastructure development were the government’s priority while it was also taking steps to link Gwadar with Kashgar as a modern trade corridor equivalent to the ancient silk route.
World Bank Executive Director Nasir Mehmood Khosa was also present during the meeting. Indrawati also delivered a letter to the Prime Minister from the World Bank President Jim Kim offering its assistance towards Polio and other immunisations in Pakistan. The World Bank also offered support for the internally displaced persons and flood affected people in Pakistan.
Appreciating the World Bank’s support since 1952, the Prime Minister said Pakistan was implementing the new Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) (2015-19) since July 2014, which was aligned with the government’s economic development agenda.
The prime minster appreciated the World Bank’s assistance in the construction of Dasu Hydropower Project. The Prime Minister appreciated the role of the World Bank in financing Tarbela IV and said that preparatory work on Tarbela V has also started. He termed CASA-1000 as an important project in the context of regional connectivity.
