Latest news with #Benhassine
Business Recorder
19-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
World Bank extends ASPIRE programme by 3 years
ISLAMABAD: The World Bank (WB) has extended the Actions to Strengthen Performance for Inclusive and Responsive Education (ASPIRE) Program by three years with an additional financing of $33 million to support the government to respond to school disruptions caused by various crises, expand access and improve education quality; and enhance sector resilience and management through better coordination, with focus on lagging districts. Official documents revealed that the new closing date for the programme is set to be June 30, 2028. The progress towards achievement of project development objective, as well as, overall implementation progress has been rated satisfactory. The ASPIRE programme has been successfully completed and verified. Key achievements under this reporting period include completion of 2,094 classrooms under DLI 7 (Number of classrooms for grades 6–8 built or rehabilitated in lagging districts) and construction of 1,000 improved school WASH facilities under DLI 8 (Number of schools in lagging areas with improved WASH facilities). Comprehensive teacher training programs on distance learning, foundational literacy, accelerated learning programs, and formative assessment have been delivered under DLI 9 (Implementation of teacher training programs). The Federal Finance Department released US$30 million for FY25 ASPIRE implementation under DLR 10.5 (NEEP budget allocation and release). World Bank's Benhassine lauds Pakistan's economic turnaround The National Online Data Portal has been made operational in June 2025 under DLR 11.1 (Implementation of a functional national open-source data platform), while DLR 11.2 (Standardized data collection, analysis, and public release) has been completed with results from the 2023/24 Annual School Census publicly released in May 2025. Participation in the international Literacy and Numeracy Assessment has been achieved under DLR 12.3 (Participation in an international assessment covering math and language competencies), and foundational learning policies have been notified across provinces under DLR 13 (Notification of foundational learning policies in provinces). All completed DLIs and DLRs have been verified by the Independent Verification Agent (IVA). ASPIRE has been extended by three years with an additional financing of US$33 million, of which US$3 million is under the IPF. The new closing date is June 30, 2028. The proposed additional financing builds on the accomplishments of ASPIRE by: (i) expanding the program's scope and scaling up interventions that have demonstrated positive impact; and (ii) piloting a time bound performance-based transfer mechanism between the federal, provincial, and district governments. Six new DLRs have been introduced to ensure continued impact under the ASPIRE program, these include: i) DLR 1.2: Well-being and nutrition plans/ policies are developed and approved, ii) DLR 13.2: FLN policies implemented in 25 percent of primary schools in lagging districts, iii) DLR 11.3: Horizontal integration of all education data at the provincial level is completed and reported in NODP, iv) DLR 12.4 Provincial assessment frameworks are aligned with NAT and approved by the IPEMC, v) DLR 14.1 OOSC CF design is approved, vi) DLR 14.2 OOSC CF is established. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
25-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
World Bank approves $194 million for education, water security in Balochistan
The World Bank will also provide financial support to floods and rains affected farmers of Pakistan by providing them subsidised urea. PHOTO: FILE Listen to article The World Bank has approved $194 million in financing for two key projects aimed at boosting education and water security in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan, state television PTV reported. In a statement issued Wednesday, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan Najy Benhassine said the funding would support the GRADES-Balochistan education initiative and a separate Water Security and Productivity Improvement project. 'The GRADES-Balochistan project aims to reduce learning poverty in the province, while the Balochistan Water Security and Productivity Improvement Project will help address the province's water security challenges and enhance climate resilience,' Benhassine said. He added that the World Bank remains committed to supporting Balochistan through strategic investments that promote job creation, reduce poverty, and strengthen resilience. Access and Delivery of Quality Education Services in Balochistan (GRADES) project will receive $100 million. It aims to benefit 250,000 students by improving enrollment and learning outcomes in early childhood and primary education. The project includes the construction of climate-resilient classrooms, provision of safe transportation, expanded school shifts, and public-private partnerships. It will also support the professional development of 5,000 teachers and award scholarships to 400 female students for pre-service teacher training. 'The GRADES-Balochistan project is a strategically important initiative that addresses critical gaps in access to and quality of pre-primary and primary education in the province,' said Inga Afanasieva, the project's team leader. The remaining $94 million will go toward enhancing water productivity and climate resilience across key districts in Balochistan.
Business Recorder
20-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
PM heaps praise on World Bank country director
ISLAMABAD: In a sendoff dripping with praise, the World Bank's outgoing Pakistan boss Najy Benhassine on Thursday gave Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif a full-blown economic endorsement, crediting him with dragging the country back from the economic brink and calling his leadership 'transformational.' During a farewell meeting, Benhassine did not hold back, applauding Sharif and his economic crew especially Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb for steering Pakistan away from a catastrophic default and laying down the yellow brick road to recovery. 'Under Prime Minister Sharif's leadership, the economic team saved Pakistan from the threat of default and set it on the path to stability,' Benhassine said, calling the PM's game plan a roadmap out of ruin. 'Despite daunting challenges, your leadership helped transition the country from crisis to growth.' Top ministers and World Bank brass – including Operations Manager Giles Dragelis – turned the meeting into a full-blown praise parade for Team Shehbaz, hailing their gritty handling of Pakistan's fiscal nightmares. Benhassine, who served through one of Pakistan's rockiest financial chapters, did not forget the 2022 floods, either. 'You worked tirelessly for the relief and rehabilitation of flood-hit communities,' he said, adding that the nation would not forget the government's hustle. Sharif, ever the diplomat, returned the love and praise with gratitude and applause for Benhassine's role in beefing up the World Bank's game plan in Pakistan. 'You played a pivotal role in strengthening the partnership between Pakistan and the World Bank,' Sharif said. 'Your cooperation and dedication will be remembered in kind words by the people of this country.' Sharif chalked up the turnaround to grit, grind, and some serious elbow grease. 'Stability didn't happen overnight, it is the result of tireless work by a dedicated team,' he declared. With heavyweights like Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal, and Muhammad Aurangzeb in the room, Sharif bid farewell to Benhassine with a hint of sentiment. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
19-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
World Bank's Benhassine lauds Pakistan's economic turnaround
Najy Benhassine, the outgoing country director of the World Bank, has lauded Pakistan's economic turnaround, terming it a 'revolutionary turnaround.' The World Bank's official made these remarks while paying a farewell visit to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, read a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Thursday. 'The revolutionary transformation, stability, and progress of Pakistan's economy under your leadership is commendable,' said Benhassine, adding that the country's economic team saved Pakistan from the risk of sovereign default and put it on a path of stability. 'Pakistan's current economic team has skillfully steered the economy from stability toward growth,' he added. World Bank approves $102m for Resilient, Accessible Microfinance Project Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz also lauded Benhassine for his role in strengthening the partnership between Pakistan and the World Bank 'For which we are grateful,' the prime minister was quoted as saying in the statement. 'The cooperation and hard work you demonstrated with Pakistani officials on the Country Partnership Framework will always be remembered positively,' he told Benhassine. PM Shehbaz extended his best wishes and prayed for Najy Benhassine's health and future success. The meeting was also attended by the World Bank's Operations Manager for Pakistan, Gailius Draugelis; Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar; Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Muhammad Aurangzeb; and other senior officials.
Business Recorder
28-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
New World Bank country director calls on Cheema
ISLAMABAD: The newly-appointed Country Director of the World Bank, Bolormaa Amgaabazar, called on Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema, here on Tuesday. The outgoing Country Director Najy Benhassine was also present during the meeting. The minister welcomed Amgaabazar and appreciated the contributions of Benhassine during his tenure in Pakistan. He acknowledged Benhassine's role in strengthening the World Bank's engagement with Pakistan and setting high standards of partnership. Cheema expressed confidence that the new country director would continue to play a key role in the development and implementation of the Country Partnership Framework (CPF), building on the work done under Benhassine's leadership. The minister highlighted that the federal government, with the support of the World Bank and other development partners, is actively facilitating provincial governments in the execution of development projects. He also reiterated the government's strong commitment to fiscal, energy, and economic reforms, noting that the focus remains on policies that deliver long-term, sustainable outcomes for the country. The World Bank team appreciated the government's efforts in driving reforms and strengthening collaboration with provincial governments. They acknowledged the central role played by the Ministry of Economic Affairs in ensuring effective coordination and implementation of development initiatives. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
