Scope & magnitude of the adaptive social protection strategies would be further enhanced in Pakistan: Shazia Marri

WASHINGTON, Feb 04 (SABAH): Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Security Shazia Marri held a meeting with Michal Rutkowski, Global Director for Social Protection and Jobs at the World Bank in Washington DC on Saturday. Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan was also present during the meeting.

The Minister is visiting the United States at the invitation of World Bank to share Pakistan’s experience on adaptive social protection.

Director Rutkowski appreciated the important role played by BISP and other institutions in Government of Pakistan’s swift, adaptive and resilient response during the devastating and unprecedented floods last year. He acknowledged the significant contributions of BISP in protecting the livelihoods of the most vulnerable segments of Pakistani population, particularly in the aftermath of the floods.

Director Rutkowski praised BISP as a successful model and said it could be implemented by other countries in the region and beyond.

The Federal Minister conveyed gratitude on behalf of the Government of Pakistan at the prompt response and tremendous support extended by the World Bank during the catastrophic floods. She stated that BISP was launched in 2010, and since then it had become a resounding success in ameliorating the fate of the poorest of the poorest families in Pakistan. She underscored that the scope and magnitude of the adaptive social protection strategies would be further enhanced in Pakistan and top priority would be accorded to education, healthcare and nutrition.

Shazia Marri said World Bank’s technical assistance would go a long way in maximizing the outreach and success of social protection programs in Pakistan.

Director Rutkowski assured the Federal Minister that World Bank would broaden its engagements and augment its assistance to Pakistan to foster better outcomes and enhance productivity of Pakistan’s social protection strategies through skill enhancement trainings and other means.