ISLAMABAD, Feb 18: Unicef will provide $137 million to Pakistan during the next five years under the Country Programme of Cooperation 2004-2008, which primarily focuses on the development of youth.

The commitment in this regard was made during a country strategy meeting between the representatives of the government and Unicef, held at a local hotel on Tuesday.

Unicef regional director Sadiq Rasheed, talking to Dawn, said out of $137 million, $75 million would be raised through different donor organizations like the World Bank.

He expressed his satisfaction over the outcome of the meeting, and said there was a realization among the participants that the time had come to invest in youth, who were 70 per cent of the country’s total population.

The meeting was jointly presided over by acting secretary of health Matiullah Khan and UNICEF representative in Pakistan Ibrahim Jabr. Representatives of provincial governments and NGOs were also present on the occasion.

This is the first visit of Mr Rasheed to Pakistan after assuming charge of the office. He is currently serving as regional director, Unicef Regional Office for South Asia in Kathmandu, Nepal.

The participants appreciated the draft strategy, saying it was coherent and laid emphasis on child survival. Besides, it also called for effective coordination between all the partners. They said focus on young people was what Pakistan needed badly as investing in youth meant investing in future.

Mr Rasheed said Unicef had been a partner in the country for the development and protection of children and women since 1948, and Pakistan had always played an important role in this regard.

He said the new country strategy would give priority to women, children and fulfilment of their rights. He deplored that situation in Pakistan was not very encouraging because of high rate of infant and maternal mortality. Forty three children die every minute in Pakistan, while one in every 12 infants does not get to see his or her first birthday.