Govt, World Bank align on human capital agenda

June 03, 2026: Efforts to strengthen human capital development, improve health and education outcomes, enhance workforce skills, and leverage technology for better public service delivery were discussed during a high-level engagement between Pakistan and the World Bank Group on Wednesday.

The discussions took place at the Finance Division, where Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb received a World Bank Group delegation led by Ms. Mamta Murthi, Vice President for Human Development (Health, Education and Social Protection).

The delegation also included Ms. Bolormaa Amgaabazar, Country Director for Pakistan, Ms. Keiko Inoue, Regional Director for Human Development, Ms. Sherin Varkey, Health Practice Manager, and Mr. Simon Andrews, IFC Director.

During the interaction, the finance minister acknowledged the World Bank Group’s continued support for Pakistan’s development and reform priorities.

He stated that after making progress in restoring macroeconomic stability, the government’s attention is increasingly focused on improving social and human development outcomes through targeted investments in health, education, skills development, and social protection.

He also stressed the importance of measurable results and effective implementation under the World Bank’s long-term Country Partnership Framework for Pakistan.

Highlighting the country’s demographic profile, Aurangzeb noted that Pakistan’s large and youthful population presents both an opportunity and a policy priority.

He emphasized the need to improve human capital indicators, increase workforce participation, and equip young people with skills that match changing labour market requirements.

According to the minister, sustained economic growth and competitiveness will depend on continued investment in people, alongside reforms aimed at boosting productivity, service delivery, and employment generation.

The discussions extensively covered Pakistan’s human development agenda, including maternal and child health, nutrition, immunization, early childhood development, education outcomes, and population-related challenges.

Ms. Murthi observed that long-term development outcomes would depend on continued progress in key human capital indicators, particularly child nutrition, reduction in stunting, foundational learning, and access to quality healthcare and education services.

She said the World Bank’s engagement is focused on supporting measurable outcomes and strengthening service delivery systems to ensure essential interventions effectively reach mothers and children across the country.

The participants also reviewed opportunities to strengthen primary healthcare systems and expand access to essential services for women and children. Views were exchanged on the growing role of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in healthcare, education, and workforce development.

The finance minister underscored the importance of preparing Pakistan’s workforce for a rapidly evolving global economy, while the World Bank delegation shared international experiences related to technology-driven service delivery, healthcare financing, and private sector participation.

Skills development, workforce readiness, and job creation remained a key focus of the discussions.

Aurangzeb stressed the need for upskilling and reskilling the workforce to meet emerging economic requirements and facilitate access to higher-value employment opportunities.

He added that improving employability, particularly among young people, remains central to the government’s broader economic transformation agenda.

The World Bank delegation shared global experiences in workforce development, technical and vocational training, and employment-oriented skills programmes.

The discussions highlighted the importance of stronger industry linkages, increased private sector participation in training initiatives, and outcome-based approaches that align skills programmes with labour market demand.

The meeting also explored avenues for greater collaboration among the government, the World Bank Group, and the private sector to support Pakistan’s human capital objectives.

During the engagement, Ms. Murthi invited Pakistan to participate in a global forum on Universal Health Coverage scheduled to be held in Japan later this year.

She noted that the forum is a collaborative initiative supported by the Government of Japan and jointly facilitated by the World Bank Group and the World Health Organization to advance progress toward Universal Health Coverage.

Concluding the discussions, the finance minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reforms aimed at strengthening human capital, improving social outcomes, expanding employment opportunities, and promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Both sides also reiterated their commitment to continued cooperation in health, education, social protection, workforce development, and technology-enabled service delivery.

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