Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday said improving employability, particularly among young people, would remain central to the government's economic transformation agenda, as he met a World Bank delegation to discuss skills development, healthcare, education and technology-driven public services.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance, the minister held talks with a delegation led by World Bank Vice President for Human Development Mamta Murthi on Pakistan's human capital development priorities, workforce readiness and social sector reforms.
Focus on Human Capital
Aurangzeb said Pakistan had made important progress in restoring macroeconomic stability and was increasingly shifting its focus towards improving social and human development outcomes through investments in health, education, skills development and social protection.
Describing Pakistan's large youth population as both a major opportunity and a key policy priority, he stressed the need to improve human capital indicators, increase workforce participation and equip young people with skills aligned with evolving labour market demands.
Upskilling and Reskilling
The finance minister underscored the importance of upskilling and reskilling the workforce to meet emerging economic requirements, improve job readiness and create pathways to higher-value employment. He said sustained economic growth and competitiveness would require continued investment in people alongside reforms aimed at boosting productivity, improving service delivery and generating jobs.
Aurangzeb also emphasised the need to maintain a strong focus on measurable outcomes and effective implementation under the World Bank's long-term Country Partnership Framework for Pakistan.
Review of Human Development Agenda
The meeting reviewed key elements of Pakistan's human development agenda, including maternal and child health, nutrition, immunisation, early childhood development, education outcomes and population-related challenges.
Murthi said long-term development progress would depend on improvements in critical human capital indicators, particularly child nutrition, reducing stunting, foundational learning and access to quality healthcare and education. She said the World Bank's engagement in Pakistan was focused on supporting measurable outcomes and strengthening service delivery systems to ensure essential interventions effectively reached mothers and children across the country.
Technology and Healthcare
The two sides also discussed strengthening primary healthcare systems, expanding access to essential services for mothers and children, and leveraging artificial intelligence and digital technologies in healthcare, education and workforce development. Aurangzeb said Pakistan must prepare its workforce for a rapidly evolving global economy, while the World Bank delegation shared international experiences in technology-enabled service delivery, healthcare financing and private sector participation.
Workforce Development
Discussions further focused on workforce development, technical and vocational training, and employment-oriented skills programmes. Participants highlighted the importance of stronger industry linkages, greater private-sector involvement in training initiatives and better alignment of skills programmes with labour market needs.
The meeting also explored opportunities for broader collaboration between the government, the World Bank Group and the private sector to advance Pakistan's human capital objectives. Murthi invited Pakistan to participate in a global forum on Universal Health Coverage, scheduled to be held in Japan later this year and jointly supported by the Japanese government, the World Bank Group and the World Health Organisation.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation in health, education, social protection, workforce development and technology-enabled service delivery.
