"Punjab government is taking effective measures for institutional reforms while Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz 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." Country Director of the World Bank Rachid Ben Massaoud stated this during a farewell meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, here on Monday.
During the meeting, matters of mutual interest and ongoing programmes for uplift of social sectors were discussed. The CM said, "Various programmes for development of social sectors are running successfully in Punjab with the co-operation of the World Bank. The Punjab government has introduced revolutionary reforms for the improvement of education, health and other social sectors which are yielding far-reaching results. A target has been fixed for the increase in the growth rate to raise the living standards and the government is following the policy of balanced development of urban and rural areas. Special attention is being paid to the uplift of backward areas of the province."
He also said more resources had been allocated for the districts of South Punjab than the ratio of population while information technology is being used for the capacity-building of provincial departments. "Pakistan, especially Punjab and the World Bank, are collaborating in various sectors which is yielding positive results. The World Bank is extending full assistance to the Punjab in education, health, skills development and energy projects," he added. He further said, "Punjab government wants to further promote co-operation with the World Bank in education, health, skills development disaster management, energy and other sectors.