GIZ uses an overarching, strategic concept to promote project and programme activities in Pakistan.

Education

With its wide strategic approach, cooperation between Pakistan and Germany is helping to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). To improve the quality of education, activities are geared to building up the skills, performance capacity and resources (capacity development) needed to design and roll out education policy at state, province and district level.

Health Sector

The overall health situation in Pakistan has improved considerably since 1947, as is evident from a number of health indicators, such as life expectancy and the infant mortality rate. However, political instability, population growth and the limited response to development efforts are having a profound effect on the demographic, epidemiological, social and managerial dimensions of health care. At the same time, Pakistan is often subject to natural disasters like the earthquake in 2005 and the devastating floods in 2010.

The health sector is characterised by a double burden of disease, with both communicable and non-communicable diseases posing enormous challenges. As demand for health services increases, the public and private providers are finding it difficult to address current health needs, and inadequacies are emerging in both the public and the private systems. There is also a lack of cooperation between the two.

The inadequacies of health service delivery are mainly caused by shortcomings in governance and management, and also result from the under-funding of the public health care system.

Renewable energies and energy efficiency

Pakistan’s chances of achieving sustainable economic and social development are very limited due to an inadequate energy supply and a very low level of energy efficiency. Energy security at affordable prices is one of the main objectives the Government of Pakistan has set out in its ‘Vision 2030’. Pakistan-German cooperation aims to promote renewable energies and increase energy efficiency.

Good Governance

Pakistan’s Government has initiated a reform process designed to strengthen democracy and foster transparent and efficient administration. Core elements of this process centre on improving government services and mobilising tax income at the federal and provincial levels. These reforms also aim to strengthen the role and status of women in Pakistan’s society. This includes supporting female victims of violence and mainstreaming preventive action. Germany has pledged its support for Pakistan in these areas.