EQUITY & EMPOWERMENT

EQUITY & EMPOWERMENT

Leaving no one behind

INTRODUCTION

In any society striving for progress and prosperity for all, equity stands as the bedrock upon which sustainable development can flourish. The Government of Pakistan recognizes the paramount importance of equity in fostering a society that embraces the principles of fairness, justice, and equal opportunities. Although equity is a cross-cutting theme across all government policies and and programs, this Plan places special emphasis on promoting equitable development through affirmative policies and targeted interventions. By adopting an equity-centered approach, this Plan acknowledges that individuals have diverse needs, aspirations, and potentials. While some may face barriers due to age, gender, disability, or geographic location, it is our responsibility to ensure that no one is left behind. Such an approach allows us to dismantle discriminatory structures and build an environment where every citizen can fully exercise their agency and participate in shaping their own destiny.

This section aims to address the horizontal and vertical inequities that persist in our society, utilizing a combination of universal and targeted interventions. To tackle vertical inequities, this chapter places a significant emphasis on three critical dimensions: population planning and the provision of affordable and quality health and education services.Through improved access to reproductive healthcare, family planning services, and early childhood, school and higher education, we seek to create an environment where individuals can exercise their rights and make decisions that positively impact their well-being and that of future generations.

Moreover, this section recognizes that specific groups within our society face distinct challenges and require targeted interventions. Special emphasis is placed on youth,women, persons with disabilities, and the least developed regions of our country. By prioritizing their needs and aspirations, we can break the cycle of intergenerational inequities and unlock the full potential of these marginalized segments. This entails providing tailored opportunities, including higher education access, skills development programs, entrepreneurial support, gender empowerment initiatives, accessibility measures, and infrastructure development in least developed regions.

Through an equity-centered lens, the “Five Es” plan emphasizes that achieving socio-economic development goals goes beyond economic indicators alone. It under
scores the importance of investing in human capabilities, ensuring access to quality education, healthcare, and social protection.

SITUATION ANALYSIS

 Pakistan’s population is projected to increase to over 274 million by 2030 and 367 million by 2050 . Although Pakistan’s population growth rate has declined steadily over the years, the country’s annual population growth rate of 2.4% is still higher than that of neighboring countries (India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka) . Over two-thirds of the country’s population are people below the age of 30, which makes Pakistan one of the youngest countries in the world, and the second youngest in the South Asian region after Afghanistan. Over the course of coming three decades, the relatively high fertility rates will continue to drive the ongoing population growth.

These demographic projections raise a number of challenges for Pakistan’s socio-economic growth and development. A rapidly growing population means ever-increasing demands for nutrition, food, health and education facilities, jobs, energy, water, infrastructure, and social safety nets.

The 18th Constitutional Amendment devolved the function of population planning to the provinces. While provinces have taken a number of steps to improve population planning, a coordinated and holistic approach is required to address this serious challenge. The need for a well coordinated federal approach is reinforced by the negative “externalities”of high population growth rate in the form of low real wages, rising poverty, pollution,insecurity etc. In this regard, a National Taskforce was established but was not made effectively operational. The current Government plans to reinvigorate the National Task Force on Population Planning and implement the National Action Plan for Population
Control.

High population growth rate over the years has strained and affected access to affordable and quality health and education services. Although Pakistan has introduced andimplemented a number of measures to improve access to health and education services and improve the quality and affordability of these services for all citizens, the pace of progress remains slow. In this regard, the incorporation of Article 25A in the Constitution enshrined universal access to education as a fundamental human right.

Despite making progress over the years, Pakistan continues to face several developmental challenges. People across various regional and social groups have unequal access to health and education. In 2018-2019, Pakistan’s national poverty rate was 21.5 percent,but it was 21.6 percent for Sindh, 27 percent for KPK and 40.7 percent for Balochistan.

Pakistan’s progress on development indicators lags behind other developing countries.UNICEF estimates that Pakistan has 22.8 million out of school children . There are more boys enrolled than girls at every stage of education, placing women at a great disadvantage In Sindh, 58 percent of girls of school going age are out of school, while the number is even higher at 78 percent out of school girls in Balochistan. The quality of education needs critical reforms too, as there is a huge gap between the skills and values needed and what the country’s education system is currently producing.

Pakistan’s healthcare provision is lagging behind other nations as well. An average Pakistani has a life expectancy of only 66 years, ranking 150th in the world. High child mortality rate is a major contributor to Pakistan’s low average life expectancy. Out of every 1000 children born, 65 children die before their fifth birthday. The social taboo surrounding reproductive healthcare has resulted in soaring maternal mortality rates and lack of family planning. Mental health issues often go neglected as there are only 0.19 psychiatrists per 0.1 million people . The need for resilient mental health provision has become much more pertinent and pronounced in the wake of global pandemic and the recent floods in the country. A significant overarching challenge is the lack of resources. Pakistan has 1.6 medical staff personnel per 1000 people, while the WHO recommended number is 2.5. 

Since the adoption of the 18th Constitutional Amendment, provincial governments have the primary responsibility for delivering quality and affordable health and education services to citizens. The Federal Government provides thought-leadership and fiscal support to the provinces. Moreover, the Federal Government also provides support to less-developed regions and provinces in addressing key issues related to access to, and quality of,schooling and healthcare. Furthermore, the Federal Government is also introducing holistic reforms in education and health delivery in federally-governed territories and seeks to set benchmarks and standards and model delivery systems. 

STRATEGIC VISION AND OBJECTIVES

 The Government of Pakistan is keen to implement the National Action Plan on Population Planning through a reinvigorated National Task Force. The objective is to ensure that all people have access to family planning services, such as contraceptives, accompanied by quality maternal health care services and accurate and easily accessible information about their sexual and reproductive health and rights.

The government’s vision is universal education and healthcare provision across Pakistan.Pakistanis need equal and improved access to services. The strategic objective is to improve the health and learning and attainment of all Pakistanis, particularly women and children, by providing universal access to affordable, quality essential health and education services, delivered through a resilient and responsive health and education systems.In the education and health sectors, the government will particularly focus on fulfilling the needs of the social groups who have traditionally been discriminated against due to their age, class, gender, physical ability or region. It will serve the government’s goal of will reducing inequality, hence strengthening national unity and bringing the nation closer to achieving its sustainable development goals.

The following short-term and medium-term goals are critical for achieving this vision:

01 EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (ECE) AND FOUNDATIONAL LEARNING

 The Federal Education Ministry will launch a national initiative on early childhood education and foundational learning. In this regard, the MoFEPT is organizing an international conference on ECE in June 2023 to sensitize all key stakeholders and developed a joint way forward and strategic road map for ECE.

02 NATIONAL ACTION PLAN AND FUND FOR OUT OF SCHOOL CHILDREN

As of today, over 22 million children in Pakistan are out of school. To address this issue, the Government aims to develop a national plan of action for addressing the crisis of OOSC. A National OOSC fund will be established to incentivise and support interventions aimed at decreasing the number of OOSC. The proposed interventions will primarily aim to address supply-side deficiencies in school education while simultaneously targeting demand-side barriers where necessary.Furthermore, accelerated and alternative learning pathways will also be provided for overage children. In this regard, stakeholder consultations have already been held. A National Conference on Out-of-School Children was organised in collaboration with Pakistan Alliance for Maths and Science (PAMS) in Islamabad on November 15th 2022, which was attended by private and public stakeholders from all provinces and regions.

03 NATIONAL DISTANCE EDUCATION STRATEGY

The National Distance Learning Strategy contains several focus areas on which Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training (MoFEPT) has taken initiatives in collaboration with World Bank, Donors, Education Technology Players and Distance Education Experts. The NDES encompasses following core objectives.

To achieve these objectives;

 These initiatives need to be scaled through provincial educational development programs by enabling a technology oriented 21st century style distance education ecosystem across the country thus eliminating access to quality education.

04 NATIONAL VIRTUAL SCHOOLING SYSTEM

The existing e-learning and distance learning advancements will be used to launch a virtual schooling system across the country for OOSC, especially girls. The objective of the program is reduce drop-out rates post-primary and post-middle through provision of virtual schooling and alternative learning pathways.

05 UNIVERSAL ENROLMENT PILOT PROJECT IN ICT

This project aims to ensure universal enrolment in ICT through a combination of formal and non-formal schooling options and traditional and innovative modes of education. The data produced by Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE), BISP surveys, and other sources will be utilised to map clusters of OOSC in ICT. Internet connectivity, access to education through devices and digital applications together with Blended Learning, Smart Classrooms, Accelerated and Non-Formal Learning Programs and Teacher Training are key focus areas in ICT.

 
The Universal enrolment process through FDE, NCHD, BECS schools, PPP arrangements are underway together with enrolments through, Non Formal Education programs, Digital Content provision, Mobile School Buses, Computers, Chrome books, Tablets and Learning Materials are being provided with the help of federal funding, allocated loans, donor grants and through NGOs for ICT universal enrolments.

06 REVIEW OF NATIONAL CURRICULUM

 The existing National Curriculum in Pakistan will be reviewed and refined with the objective toinculc ate critical thinking skills and active and responsible citizenship among learners. Education experts, academics and civil society groups will be engaged in the review process.

07 MODEL TEACHER TRAINING INSTITUTE

 The government will establish a state-of-the-art Modal Teacher Training Institute in Islamabad.The training institute will equip schoolteachers with the necessary skills to teach students in line with international best practices and will serve as a benchmark for provincial education departments

08 MODEL NATIONAL LIBRARY

 A state-of-the-art Model National Library will be established in Islamabad. It will provide people from all backgrounds access to knowledge across multiple streams.

09 STRENGTHENING THE EVIDENCE ECOSYSTEM - DEVELOPMENT OF DATA DASHBOARDS AND INVESTMENTS IN RESEARCH

Several partners have worked closely tracking indicators on housing, health, schools, and learner data related information that can be used in emergencies. In addition, a National EMIS system is being developed to integrate educational data and strengthen federal-provincial coordination through partnerships between the Government, development partners, and technical partners.

 
Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE) has been established to ensure educational data is produced into evidence that can support the needs of decision-makers. These initiatives need to
be extended nationally through Provincial Educational Development Plans.Financing of Pakistan’s education technology ecosystem will ultimately rely on the consistent
commitment of federal and provincial education budgets. Provisional strategies can be achieved with the support of development partner funding and alternative financing.

10 HIGHER EDUCATION
SITUATION ANALYSIS

 HEC was established in September 2002 for the evaluation, improvement and promotion of higher education, research and development and facilitate institutions of higher learning to
serve as an engine of socio-economic development of Pakistan. It initial objective focused on improvement in access to HE, excellence in academics and research, faculty development and relevance with quality assurance, infrastructure development and good governance as cross cutting themes. Establishment of new universities was standardized, several scholarship
program for MS/PhD studies abroad were launched, and research support and funding was strengthened and new standards for faculty appointment, funding, semester systems, curriculum, etc. were introduced. As HEC matured, the HE reforms process has transformed from improving numbers to quality, outcomes and impact and HEC has refocused strategic aims as(i) Access with equity, (ii) quality, and (iii) relevance. To improve access with equity, initiative such as program for the establishment of a university or a sub-campus in each district, women onlyuniversities, inclusion of female researcher as merit, Women leadership development programs were initiated. Similarly, prog rams such as PM Fee Reimbursement at undergraduate and graduate levels, PM Youth Development Program, online education, etc. ensured that no one admitted on merit is denied the right to HE because of economic deprivation. To strengthen quality assurance process, a number of new initiatives have been undertaken including review of existing policies and realignment with international standards, modern curriculums with focus on skills and employability, improvement in PhD to faculty ratios, revamping of research management and funding with greater focus on applied research, innovation and commercialization including work with the industry partners, capacity building in teaching, research, and governance and
technology enablement. To strengthen impact of HE development, research review process has been strengthened for targeted research in accordance with national needs, establishment of Centers for Advance Study and Research Centers with cluster approach, establishment of Business Incubation Centers and Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization. Consequently, HE Sector performance has recorded unparallel improvements as shown in the following key statistics:

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES (BESIDES CORE STRATEGIC AIMS REFERRED TO ABOVE AT SITUATION AL ANALYSIS):
FLAGSHIP PROGRAMS:
  • PM 100,000 Laptop Scheme and schemes under PM Youth Programs (Rs.13 billion)
  • Establishment of Sub-Campus of Public Sector Universities at District Level (21 cam
  • puses across the country developed, Rs.5.20 billion)
  • Establishment of National Centers in the Emerging Fields including AI, Big Data and
  • Cloud Computing, Robotics and Automation, Cyber Security, and GIS (Rs.6.0 billion)
  • Pak-US Knowledge Corridor (Rs.2.0 billion)
  • HEDP (World Bank Assisted US$ 400 million)
  • Technology Development Fund (Rs.2.90 billion)
  • Pak-UK Education Gateway (Rs.1.972 billion
11. ATTRACT INTERNATIONAL TUITION PAYING STUDENTS IN TIER-1 UNIVERSITIES OFFERING WORLD STANDARD PROGRAMS IN:

HEC GOP is currently providing scholarships to several developing countries students like SriLanka, Afghanistan, Somalia, and other developing countries in Africa.

Open our higher education system to tuition paying students from advanced countries like UK,US, France, Germany, Gulf and Central Asian States.

HEC will strengthen its Division of International Student Exchange.

 

12. INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH CENTRE AND KNOWLEDGE PARK IN ISLAMABAD

 HEC proposes to establish an advanced multi-disciplinary research center on a large plot of land located on Kurri Road, Islamabad. The research center will have advanced well-equipped research labs and a knowledge park in collaboration with Korea and other countries for enabling the graduates and postgraduates research scholars to do innovative globally significant research in the 5E’s Framework. The knowledge park will enable the startups to showcase their commercially viable projects/products. They will be the first International Research Centre involving Korea and Pakistan. Similar Research Centre and knowledge parks can be developed in our other industrial and commercial hubs in Karachi and Lahore in collaboration with Chinese Academy of Sciences and Pakistani Academy of Sciences.

2. HEALTH AND POPULATION PLANNING

01 UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE REFORMS (UHC) IN PAKISTAN

 The concept of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is based on the principle that all individuals and communities should have equitable access to their needed healthcare, in good quality,without suffering financial hardship. Pakistan’s National Health Vision 2016–2025, the National Action Plan 2019-23, and provincial health strategies recognize UHC as a top priority. The Government of Pakistan (GoP) has developed a costed Generic Essential Package of Health Services (EPHS) based on the Disease Control Priorities 3 (DCP-3) framework, approved and endorsed by the M/o NHSR&C and all provincial/area DOH at the Inter-Ministerial Health & Population Council on October 22, 2020. The M/o NHSR&C in coordination with all provincial and area governments developed and finalized a costed district EPHS for all Provinces/areas. The main objective of the UHC reforms in Pakistan is to improve universal access to affordable, quality essential health services, delivered through a resilient and responsive health system leading to an increase in the UHC Index from a baseline of 39.7% in 2015 to more than 65% by 2030 although the UHC target under SDG3 for 2030 is 80%. Work on prioritization of Inter-sectoral policies has
started to work with other sectors, which have the potential to target half of the burden of disease. 

 The draft Intersectoral policies action plan prepared. Other UHC reforms include:

 

 Note: For details refer to annexure I

The Government of Pakistan and WB have agreed on a concept note of ‘National Health Support Programme’ amounting US$ 258 million IDA (US$ 42 million delayed for Balochistan) and US$ + 132 million of Multi-Donor Trust Fund (from GFF, GAVI, B&MGF and others) on June 2022. NHSP supports the Government’s program defined and developed in the National Health Vision, Provincial Health Strategies, UHC Investment Case and National / Provincial Essential Packages of Health Services (EPHS). NHSP follows “Program for Results (PforR)” approach,which disburses amounts based on achievement of results (Disbursement Linked Indicators –DLIs). World Bank mission came in November 2022 to discuss the implementation modalities.The NHSP is now in the implementation phase and provinces are in the process of the development of their PC-1s or their approval.

02 INTERNATIONAL HEALTH REGULATION STRENGTHENING

 Recently, a self-assessment of Joint External Evaluation was completed and the mission is expected to come in the coming months to have the joint external evaluation and provide/identify areas where the work can be done to strengthen the International Health Regulations.

Implementation of Universal Health Coverage Pilot Project in ICT.

Islamabad district has been identified as the first model healthcare district for the implementation of different UHC related reforms and lesson learning. Following are the key reform initiatives towards the implementation of UHC reforms in the ICT are as follows:

03 POLIO ERADICATION PROGRAM

Under the leadership of the Prime Minister and with support from Polio partners, filed operation strengthened, expanded capacity of health workers on the frontline and ensuring more vigilant monitoring by continuously increasing female monitors. Recently, a new initiative of mobile vaccination teams was initiated, where vaccinators are reaching out to children part of nomadic groups to mitigate the risks associated with the high-risk mobile populations. The surveillance is continuously being strengthened. The Polio Programme has been supporting relief efforts through health camps. The programme established health camps in 40 districts, while polio teams are conducting nutritional surveys and using their infrastructure for disease surveillance.

04 HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEM (TRANSITION FROM DHIS TO DHIS 2)

 Based on Health Information assessment 2017, a National Digital Health Framework was developed. DHIS2 for reporting on a daily basis has successfully piloted in all 36 districts of Punjab since 2020 along with agreement of remaining provinces and regions for its adoption for routine reporting. Currently the DHIS2 has been in use across the entire landscape of Global funded programs (TB and Malaria). KP, Balochistan, AJK and GB are in the planning phase of DHIS2. DHIS2 transition is a key component of the National Health Information System Action Plan and Provincial Roadmap (2019-2024)

05 NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN FOR NURSING

 The Government of Pakistan is working to increase the number of nurses and midwives with quality education and training programs. The initiative aims to identify and address the issues faced in the field of nursing and strengthen the existing nursing practices in Pakistan. In addition to the up gradation of the nursing schools in terms of infrastructure, hiring and stipends.

06 MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT

Pakistan has become the first country in the world to develop national and provincial costed benefit package for essential health services including mental health (MH) interventions at PHC and community (LHWs) levels.


During floods, Mental Health and Psychosocial support (MHPSS) sessions are being started in Lasbella initially. Sessions for other districts of Balochistan and Sindh have been planned. Mental health education has been incorporated in revised Lady health Worker’s training curriculum to promote awareness and early referral at community level. GoP has adopted WHO school mental health guidelines to conduct online training course for teachers on early identification and management of mental health problems in school children. In this regard, trainings of teachers from different districts of Punjab were carried out. There is need to collaborate with Ministry of Federal Education for Development and inclusion of Life skills syllabus, increase Media campaigns with separate media messages for Mental health and drug use prevention abnd also establishment of Telehealth Centers

07 ESTABLISHMENT OF TERTIARY CARE HOSPITALS FOR CANCER AND OTHER DISEASES

 The Government is establishing state-of-the-art public sector hospitals for treatment of fatal diseases. The steps taken by the government are as follows:


1.National Cancer Hospital Islamabad.
2.National Police Hospital Islamabad.
3.“Federal Breast Cancer Screening center” established at PIMS hospital, ICT to provide awareness, detection and subsequent treatment of the breast cancer disease that offers following facilities all year round 6 days a week to women of all socio-economic strata.

 

  • Totally free of cost screening mammography.
  • Ultrasound facilities.

4.Breast Cancer education” has been incorporated in Revised Lady health Worker’s training curriculum Counseling Card. LHWs will deliver awareness on breast cancer, techniques for self-breast examination and early referral at “community” and “primary health care level”.

5.Sehat Sahulat Program aims at providing free of cost health insurance, initially to families living below the poverty line. The program also covers treatment of Cancer including Breast Cancer. (Chemo, Radio, Surgery),
6.It is required to establish a National Breast Cancer Program having sustainable linkages 

  • with Sehat Sahulat Program (for subsidize rates of screening services in private clinics).
  • Ehsas Program (to provide screening services in population below poverty line).
  • Free screening services in the public sector.
  • Establishment of National Breast Cancer Registry
08 POPULATION PLANNING

 The Government plans to roll-out a national Initative on popoulation planning in collaboration with provincial governments. In this regard, the existing National Task Force on Population Planning will be re-invigorated under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister. The Task Force shall oversee the existing National Action Plan on Population Planning, which has been approved by CCI.


The NAP spells out the actions required to implement each of the CCI Recommendation with timelines, budget, output /impact indicators as an evidence to the implementation. The NAP focuses on the following key areas; governance and accountability; ensure universal access to FP/RH services; finances; legislation; advocacy and communications, curriculum and training;contraceptive commodity security and involving Ulema.


Pakistan has made its FP2030 Commitments inline with its national goals agreed under the CCI Recommendations and the targets set for the National Action Plan to strengthen family planning focus fully following the eight key CCI recommended areas. Giving due consideration that Population is a cross-cutting issue, which has its linkages with most important issues relating to poverty, health, illiteracy, environment, climate change, economic instability, etc, the government of Pakistan has developed a New National Narrative with its theme to adopt the middle of the Course “Tawazun” and decide the family size according to the resources, enabling to fulfill the fundamental rights of all

11 STRENGTHENING AND EXPANSION OF SOCIAL PROTECTION SCHEMES (SEHAT SAHULAT PROGRAM)

 Sehat Sahulat Program is being implemented in a phased manner, starting from below poverty families and eventually targeting universal families and providing coverage eventually to more than two hundred thirty (230) million population across Pakistan. Currently, program is providing services to more than one hundred seventy (170) million population of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Islamabad Capital Territory(ICT) and Tharparkar – Sindh.

 
So far, the program has not been implemented in Balochistan and Sindh (other than District -Tharparkar). However, Balochistan Government has started working and taking necessary steps to implement this social health protection initiative in all districts. At current level of maturity, the program is providing financial protection for indoor health care coverage only.


In Federal Government the program is managed under the administrative control of Ministry of National health Services, Regulations and Coordination and currently financed through PSDP. In each participating province (Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) the program is managed by health department with different source of financing.

12 COMMON MANAGEMENT UNIT FOR TB, MALARIA AND AIDS

 Common Management Unit aims at accelerating the National and Provincial response to control AIDS, TB and Malaria and subsequently eliminate the three deadly diseases from the country as per the governmental commitment to achieve Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The three programs are in line with the targets of SDG 3 to which Pakistan is a signatory. All the three programs have developed their costed provincial and national strategic plans for 2021-23.Based on the Global Fund Board’s decision in November 2022 on the funding available for the 2023-2025 allocation period, Pakistan has been allocated US$281,561,896 for HIV, tuberculosis (TB), malaria and building resilient and sustainable systems for health (RSSH). The summary of allocation is as follows:

13 FEDERAL DIRECTORATE OF IMMUNIZATION

 Following are the key achievements FDI program for the fiscal year 2022-2023

14 NATIONAL NUTRITION PROGRAMME

The activities carried out during the current fiscal year of 2022-23 are as follows:

  • The PC1 titled as “Tackling Malnutrition Induced Stunting in Pakistan” with the objective“To significantly reduce malnutrition related stunting in Pakistani children in the next 5years, and virtually eliminate it in children born in 2022 by 2030” was presented in the ECNEC meeting in March 22 for allocation of funds, but deferred.
  • In the meantime, programs directly aiming at prevention of stunting and treatment of wasting are being implemented with the support of WHO, UN-World Food Program,UNICEF and other partners in few selected districts of the country, while Punjab (11districts of South Punjab initially but later expanded to the entire province) and Sindh (13AAP Districts plus 10 EU districts) and KP Spring project (2 districts) are also implementing their own Stunting Prevention programs.

15 ADOLESCENT NUTRITION

 Adolescent nutrition has recently been recognized an important step and foundation for elimination of malnutrition among mothers and children. Adolescent girls are the future mothers and their nutrition would lead to healthy mothers. Nutrition Wing with the support of partners is working on developing the guidelines and protocols for adolescent nutrition in Pakistan.

  • National Adolescent Nutrition Strategy for Pakistan with provincial Action Plans was developed in 2021-22.

16 MATERNAL NUTRITION

Pakistan Maternal Nutrition Strategy and Provincial Implementation Plans were developed during 2021-22 and launched in 2022 at National and provincial Level. The strategy guides for development of Maternal nutrition interventions and campaigns in the country.