IMF: Pakistan must reduce poverty

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Pakistan must make more effort to reduce widespread poverty, the International Monetary Fund said Monday.

In its annual assessment of the Pakistani economy, the IMF said while that country's economic outlook has improved significantly, the government must step up efforts to improve the investment climate and governance.

Pakistan has "successfully recovered from the 1998/99 crisis," the IMF said, but added continued privatization and trade liberalization are critical. It also called for more investment in education and human capital, as well as boosting labor productivity.