UK-based governance reforms credited for saving billions

ISLAMABAD: UK’s Sub-National Governance Programme unlocked £1.9 billion in Pakistan’s public finance through improved planning, budgeting, and revenue mobilisation, driving financial growth and development.

According to the UK’s official statement, Pakistan saved billions of rupees through UK-based governance reforms. It states that working closely with provincial governments, the programme has helped to achieve savings to reinvest into other public services. For example, it helped the Government of Punjab to develop a comprehensive pensions reform plan. This included the introduction of a new pension scheme where both the employer and employee pay in, which is expected to save the Government of Punjab Rs2.7 trillion over the next 30 years.

Reforms through the programme have also directly supported people’s livelihoods. In Punjab, 35 million people’s social and economic data was collected, meaning the government can now better target urgent cash assistance and food subsidies. The programme helped design and rollout social protection initiatives such as Ba-Himmat Buzurg, which offers elderly people with no source of income financial assistance, and the Himmat Card which provides financial support for people with disabilities in Punjab. In KP, it helped overhaul waste management, introducing sustainable door-to-door waste collection which is now being scaled up across the province. British High Commission Development Director, Sam Waldock, said: “This programme shows what is possible when strong partnerships come together to support long-term reform, changing people’s lives. We’ve strengthened institutions, improved service delivery, and helped Pakistan unlock more of its resources to finance its own development. That has led to direct improvements to the day to day lives of millions -- from helping people to access essential cash assistance, to creating waste management systems which makes their surroundings cleaner and more hygienic.”