KARACHI: The World Bank country director for Pakistan, Rachid Benmessaoud, on Monday called on Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah at CM House.

He was accompanied by a two-member delegation, while Additional Chief Secretary Arif Ahmed Khan and Secretary Finance Naveed Kamran Baloch were also present.

The chief minister thanked the World Bank for extending assistance and cooperation for development projects in Sindh, in particular agriculture, irrigation, education, health and other sectors.

He said that the process of appointment of teachers is being held in a transparent manner and on merit.

Qaim Ali Shah said that previously 16,000 teachers had been inducted while 19,000 more teachers are being taken under prescribed international standards purely on merit.

The chief minister said that it is the endeavor of the present government to promote and spread education in rural areas of the country.

Qaim Ali Shah said that many closed schools have been revived, while the remaining schools will soon also be reopened.

He said that despite heavy rains and floods, the pace of development continued and production in various crops has increased.

On the occasion, Rachid Benmessaoud appreciated the process of appointment of teachers in a transparent manner and on merit.

He added that the World Bank wants to see quality education for every citizen of Pakistan, and a increase in production in all sectors, particularly in products of agriculture.

He said that the World Bank has decided to provide funds worth $400 million to the Sindh Government for promotion and furtherance of education. He further assured that the World Bank will also provide assistance in the irrigation and agriculture sectors.