Projects

Project Information

Social Action Program (Sector) Project II

Country and Location

Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Borrower

Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Date of Approval

28 November 1996

Executing Agency

The Planning and Development Division of the Ministry of Planning and Development

Loan Amount

US$200 million

Terms

The loan will carry a service charge of 1 percent per annum and will have a maturity of 35 years including a grace period of 10 years.

Period of Utilization

From 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2000

Project Description

The Government has developed a Social Action Program (SAP) as the core strategy for human development under its Eighth Five-year Plan (1993/94-1997/98). SAP aims to accelerate the development of four basic social services, i.e., primary education, primary health care, population welfare, and rural water supply and sanitation. The Bank, together with the World Bank, the Netherlands Government, and the Overseas Development Administration of the United Kingdom, supported a time slice of SAP (1993/94-1995/96) through a Social Action Program (Sector) Project I (SAPP I), with the prospect for a repeat loan. Based on extensive reviews of SAPP I performance, the Bank and cofinanciers have agreed to consider supporting a second time slice of SAP through a Social Action Program (Sector) Project II (SAPP II), covering four years from 1996/97 to 1999/2000.

Estimated Cost

The total cost of SAPP II is estimated at $7,000 million equivalent. This comprises about one third for development and two thirds for recurrent expenditure.

Project Benefits and Beneficiaries

Building on the achievements of SAPP I, the Project will provide needed continuity to consolidate the gains made under SAPP I. The benefits will relate to higher literacy rates, better health status, better access to clean water and sanitation, improved environmental conditions, and greater involvement of the community in managing social service facilities. The beneficiaries are the people of Pakistan, with focus on rural areas, women, and girls. In addition, the Project will enhance the effectiveness of policy and institutional reform measures introduced under SAPP I, augment quality improvement in the delivery of social services, and create greater awareness and support for efficient and increased levels of social sector interventions by both public and private sectors, including nongovernment organizations and community-based organizations.

Procurement

All procurement to be financed from the proceeds of the Bank loan will be carried out in accordance with the Bank's Guidelines for Procurement. Civil works contracts will be small in value and scattered, and will consist of new construction, rehabilitation, and upgrading. They will be awarded on the basis of local competitive bidding among prequalified bidders in accordance with procedures acceptable to the Bank. Civil works contracts estimated to cost $1,000,000 equivalent or more and supply contracts for equipment or materials estimated to cost $500,000 equivalent or more will be awarded on the basis of international competitive bidding procedures.

Consulting Services

About $5 million of the loan proceeds has been earmarked to meet the need for consulting services for further institutional strengthening, training, raising awareness, community mobilization, validation exercises, surveys, and monitoring activities under the Project. Such assistance will be based on the need emerging during implementation. Domestic consultants will be engaged in accordance with Government procedures acceptable to the Bank. International consultants for need-based separate activities will be recruited following the Bank's Guidelines on the Use of Consultants.

Estimated Date of Completion

30 June 2000