Donors Term Poverty, High Inflation As Major Threats
“The World Bank and other international donors on Wednesday termed poverty, high inflation, widening trade and current account deficit as Pakistan’s major challenges, and suggested policy-makers they should adopt a pro-poor approach to ensure that all segments of the society equally benefit from the economic prosperity. …
World Bank Vice President, South Asia region, Praful Patel … claimed in his address at Pakistan Development Forum inauguration session that rural poor in Pakistan were facing worst kind of poverty and the government should take them on board by passing on the benefits of economic development. …
He said the government of Pakistan should … address the issue of hard core poverty by providing education, health and other basic facilities to the rural poor. [Patel] said Pakistan was reaping reforms reward. Its cost of doing business is decreasing, and international investors are coming to Pakistan for investment. But the lack of world class infrastructure in some sectors remains a concern. …” [Business Recorder (Pakistan)/Factiva]
In a separate piece the Business Recorder adds that “to review the progress of development work being undertaken by Aga Khan Planning and Building Service, Pakistan (AKPBS,P), with the support of Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), Patel, accompanied by other senior dignitaries of the Bank, on Tuesday visited Keti Bunder, Thatta.
Not only infrastructure is being provided for water… but government is also being supported in their efforts to improve education and health facilities and operations. …PPAF, with World Bank contribution, provides the rest of the fund and AKPBS,P supervises the project and provides technical assistance to the communities.
Patel noted that even though the project is still under implementation, there is visible change in both the physical condition of the town as well as… in the attitude and motivation of the people. He was informed that the people, who used to move away from the town in the past, are now returning; health condition in the town is beginning to improve and the environment, which used to be polluted with stagnant sewerage water, is now clean and healthy. …” [Business Recorder (Pakistan)/Factiva]
Ismailimail 