ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has called for enhanced support of international community to fight against the socioeconomic challenges in time of pandemic. 
“Additional financial resources would help to create fiscal space to invest more in human capital,” said Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar, while representing the country at World Bank Group meeting on Human Capital Ministerial Conclave held virtually. The theme of meeting is creating Green, Resilient and Inclusive Recovery of Economy after Pandemic.
The spring meeting includes Ministers and government officials from 80 countries to share views/narratives that will improve the human capital of the world after pandemic.
In his remarks, Federal minister stated that Pakistan is one of the first “Early Adopters of Human Capital Project.” He highlighted that the country’s initial response to combat COVID19 crisis remained strong and robust, and well recognised by the international community. He said that the incumbent government led by Prime Minister Imran Khan put up an economic stimulus package of $ 8 billion, which helped to save lives and livelihoods, as result of this, our economy contracted by only 0.4 per cent as compared to global contraction of 3.5 per cent.
While highlighting the climate initiatives of Pakistan’s government’s, he said that the government had launched 10-Billion Tree Tsunami Project, Eco-system Restoration Initiatives, Clean and Green Pakistan Movement, and Recharge Pakistan to curb climate change and its environmental impacts.
The minister also underlined the comprehensive poverty alleviation program Ehsaas, which is another major social protection plan of the incumbent government to protect the vulnerable segments from the economic shocks of the pandemic. He said that Ehsaas program also included Tahafaz, Kamyab Jawan, livelihoods interventions for poor farmers and women, and graduation programs to support youth and agricultural sector through micro financing and micro-credits.