KARACHI: WB pledges $100 million for uplift projects
KARACHI, Nov 8: The World Bank will give a loan package of US$100 million to Sindh on interest-free basis to support its development projects. This was stated by World Bank Country Director John W. Wall during a meeting with Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim at Chief Minister’s House on Monday evening.
The visiting delegation was earlier given briefing on the ongoing programmes and reforms in irrigation, power, health, education and finance sectors. Sindh Irrigation and Power Minister Nadir Akmal Leghari, Sindh Finance Adviser M.A. Jalil and senior officials were present on the occasion.
Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Rahim told the delegation that the government wanted to achieve improved results through better coordination with district nazims so that the whole province could achieve progress and prosperity and the masses could be facilitated.
He told the delegation that the task of cement lining of watercourses was in progress to improve the irrigation system and check wastage of water. He said that he would conduct surprise raids to inspect the pace and standard of uplift works of irrigation, communication and other departments.
Regarding appointments in the provincial agriculture department, the chief minister said that selection had been made through the Bahria Foundation and appointment process would be completed transparently.
The WB delegation said that the bank would fully cooperate with the Sindh government in modernizing irrigation system, ending outstanding recoveries, cement lining of watercourses, and privatization of loss-incurring industries and other properties.
In addition to the US$100 million loan, he said, the WB would approve programme for improving educational system, betterment of barrages including their redesigning and raising their capacity and cement-lining of canals. He said that the irrigation department would be made more efficient. He said that all these loans would be provided on interest-free basis.
Director South Asia Human Development Department Julian Schweitzer, Senior Social Specialist Tahseen Syed, Sindh Chief Secretary Fazalur Rehman, Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Ghulam Sarwar Khero, Secretary Education Ghulam Ali Pasha, Secretary Finance Israr Malik, Secretary to Sindh CM Sikander Ali Kerio and Special Secretary Dr Muhammad Ali were also present.
Meanwhile, the three-member delegation of World Bank called on Sindh Chief Secretary Fazlur Rehman at Sindh Secretariat on Tuesday.
The chief secretary briefed the delegation on reforms in different sectors and maintained that the Sindh government was focussing on continuity of development programmes and good governance while human resource development was also being carried out, in addition to the health, education, financial discipline and social sector development.
He also elucidated the pace of development in the province including the strengthening of irrigation sector. The economic development of the province also came under discussion.—PPI
