ISLAMABAD: Public support for climate change action and water and sanitation initiatives has surged sharply in Pakistan, even as perceptions of the World Bank Group’s (WBG) overall support in key sectors have declined, according to the Pakistan Country Opinion Survey 2025 commissioned by the World Bank.
The survey revealed that support for climate change initiatives jumped from just 5 percent in fiscal year 2021 to 34 percent in fiscal year 2025, while backing for water and sanitation rose from 9 percent to 35 percent during the same period.
Although the WBG received high effectiveness ratings for its work in pandemic preparedness, gender equity, and disaster risk management, its perceived effectiveness declined notably in governance, education, and water and sanitation sectors.
Respondents urged the WBG to expand its engagement beyond the federal level to include provincial, local, and community-based collaborations for better understanding of ground realities and more effective project implementation.
Financial support was cited as the WBG’s most valuable contribution to Pakistan (48 percent), followed by knowledge sharing (33 percent), technical assistance (32 percent), and capacity building (24 percent).
While most performance indicators remained consistent with 2021 findings, perceptions of the WBG’s effectiveness in achieving development results improved. Over half of respondents said the Bank had strengthened its role in improving people’s lives (52 percent) and was easier to work with (51 percent).
Nearly half of respondents also felt the WBG had improved the technical quality of its projects (49 percent) and enhanced partnerships to increase development financing (48 percent).
However, collaboration ratings with parliament and local governments remained weak, despite better engagement with civil society. Respondents from bilateral agencies and government institutions viewed WBG staff more favorably than those from parliament, academia, or local bodies.
The survey found the WBG among the most trusted development partners in Pakistan — alongside the United Nations and the Asian Development Bank — reflecting its continued influence in shaping the country’s development agenda.
Story by Amin Ahmed
