Pakistan is a signatory of many international development strategies including the Millennium Development Goals, and the government is committed to achieving a reduction in infant mortality rate from 72 to <55 per 1000 live births, the newborn mortality rate from 55 to <40 per 1000 live births and the maternal mortality rate from 276 per 100 000 to 140 per 100 000 live births by 2015. Maternal, newborn and child health play a key role in reducing poverty and promoting social and economic development. Improvement in maternal and child health is a priority agenda of the Government of Pakistan.