Securing Human Investments to Foster Transformation (SHIFT) DPC Series

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The operation, Securing Human Investments to Foster Transformation (SHIFT), supports the Islamic Republic of Pakistan’s response and recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on human capital (HC) and the economy. It supports more efficient and better targeted safety nets to protect the poor and vulnerable and prevent losses of HC. It will enhance HC accumulation as well as the recognition of women’s contribution to economic productivity. The proposed SHIFT operation for SDR 366.4 million (US500 million dollars equivalent) is the first in a programmatic series of two operations that will strengthen the policies for achieving better HC outcomes in the medium to long term. SHIFT is aligned with the Government of Pakistan’s (GOP) Pakistan Preparedness and Response Plan to combat COVID-19, which focuses on, amongst others interventions: (i) scaling-up emergency response mechanisms to ensure a whole-of-country and whole-of-society approach; (ii) launching mass public awareness campaigns on COVID-19; (iii) delivering essential public health measures to contain the spread of the virus; (iv) enhancing the capacity of the health system; and (v) providing cash transfers, food rations and support educational activities. The programmatic series is consistent with the FY15-20 Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) and the World Bank Group’s (WBG) twin goals of boosting shared prosperity and ending extreme poverty. It is also consistent with the GOP’s social and economic reforms program. It supports policies in civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS), universal health coverage (UHC), especially primary health care, and equitable access to quality education, which are main contributors for HC accumulation. To recognize women’s contribution to economic productivity, the DPF series supports policies that improve working conditions for women and recognition of home-based work. In addition, SHIFT is fully aligned with the relevant areas under the National Action Plan for Coronavirus Disease. Further, the DPF supports protection of HC during the COVID-19 impact period through expansion of conditional and unconditional cash transfers, along with improved coordination and efficiency of safety nets at the national level.