Discussions focus on health, education, skills development and job creation amid push for inclusive growth
Pakistan and the World Bank Group have agreed to deepen cooperation on human capital development, skills training and job creation, as the government shifts focus from macroeconomic stabilisation to social sector outcomes, the Finance Division said on Wednesday.
The discussions took place during a meeting between Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb and a delegation of the World Bank Group led by Mamta Murthi, Vice President for Human Development, alongside senior officials from the World Bank and International Finance Corporation.
According to the Finance Division, the meeting focused on Pakistan’s priorities in health, education, skills development, employment generation and technology-driven public service delivery.
Aurangzeb reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening human capital indicators and improving workforce readiness, noting that Pakistan’s large youth population represents both a major opportunity and a policy challenge.
He said efforts are underway to enhance labour force participation by equipping young people with skills aligned to evolving market demands and digital transformation.
The two sides reviewed key areas of Pakistan’s human development agenda, including maternal and child health, nutrition, immunisation, early childhood development, education outcomes and population-related challenges.
World Bank officials stressed that sustainable development would depend on measurable progress in child nutrition, foundational learning and access to quality healthcare and education services.
Both sides also discussed the increasing role of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in improving service delivery across health, education and workforce systems.
Particular emphasis was placed on skills development, employability and job creation through stronger industry linkages and greater private-sector participation.
The World Bank Group invited Pakistan to participate in a global forum on Universal Health Coverage in Japan later this year.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration aimed at promoting inclusive growth, expanding employment opportunities and improving long-term social development outcomes in Pakistan.
