PM Shehbaz Meets World Bank Chief to Boost Pakistan’s Reforms

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Islamabad — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday met World Bank President Ajay Pal Singh Banga, acknowledging his leadership in strengthening the World Bank’s role as a key development partner for Pakistan.

During the meeting, PM Shehbaz praised the long-term partnership between Pakistan and the World Bank and welcomed the ten-year Country Partnership Framework (CPF), calling it a model of cooperative initiatives.

“Pakistan values the World Bank Group’s support in economic growth and reforms,” Shehbaz said. He highlighted the government’s commitment to a multi-dimensional reform program tailored to national needs for sustainable economic stability.

The Prime Minister noted that the World Bank’s support in infrastructure, agribusiness, digital development, energy, human capital, financial reforms, employment generation, and private sector investment is highly valued.

Both leaders emphasized that the CPF should ensure rapid implementation of priorities and effective monitoring to achieve timely, large-scale results. Shehbaz said these steps would help overcome obstacles in project execution and align with his vision for national progress.

He also reaffirmed his commitment to administrative reforms to promote employment-driven growth and strengthen investor confidence.

World Bank President Ajay Banga praised Pakistan’s ongoing reforms and said, “We are committed to deepening cooperation under the ‘One World Bank Group’ initiative. Achieving the government’s reform agenda requires close coordination with development partners and more efficient use of private resources.”

Banga is on a four-day high-level visit to Pakistan, which began on February 1 and will continue until February 4, including tours of official and cultural sites.