The World Bank has announced a major financial support package for Pakistan, pledging $40 billion over the next 10 years under its newly approved Country Partnership Framework (CPF).
According to sources, approximately three-quarters of the pledged amount will be disbursed through the International Development Association (IDA), while the remainder will be provided via the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).
The CPF will also benefit from additional funding from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), further boosting its scope.
The expanded framework is set to concentrate on six critical sectors, with a focus on combating child stunting, mitigating climate change impacts, improving learning outcomes, ensuring access to clean water, and increasing both public resources and private investments to promote inclusive development.
Key development targets
The CPF outlines ambitious goals to transform Pakistan’s socio-economic landscape. These include:
- Tax Revenue Increase: Raising tax revenue to over 15% of GDP to strengthen the country's fiscal position.
- Renewable Energy: Expanding renewable energy capacity by 10 gigawatts to address the energy crisis and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
- Education and Health: Providing quality education to 12 million students and ensuring healthcare access for 50 million people.
- Clean Water and Sanitation: Delivering clean water and sanitation facilities to 60 million citizens.
- Food Security and Disaster Management: Enhancing food security for 30 million individuals and benefiting 75 million people through improved disaster management and risk reduction initiatives.
- Women’s Health: Increasing access to contraception for 30 million women as part of efforts to improve maternal and reproductive health.
The 10-year CPF received strong backing, with 19 out of 24 World Bank directors voting in favor of its approval. The comprehensive framework has been hailed as a transformative step for Pakistan, addressing immediate and long-term development needs.
