The prime minister warmly welcomed Banga, praising the World Bank Group’s enduring partnership with Pakistan
By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif acknowledged the World Bank Group’s critical role in supporting Pakistan’s economic development and reform initiatives during a meeting with its president, Ajay Banga, at the Prime Minister’s House on Monday. The visit marked Banga’s first official trip to Pakistan as head of the global financial institution.
The prime minister welcomed Banga warmly and expressed appreciation for the World Bank Group’s long-standing partnership with Pakistan. He highlighted the institution’s commitment to supporting the country’s development priorities, particularly through the 10-year World Bank Group Country Partnership Framework (CPF), which seeks to align investment and reform strategies for sustainable growth.
In his remarks, PM Shehbaz commended Banga’s leadership in transforming the World Bank into a more impactful development partner. He emphasized that his government was actively pursuing a multi-pronged, homegrown program of structural reforms designed to achieve long-term economic stability. The premier noted that these reforms focused on resilient infrastructure, agribusiness, digital development, energy, human capital, fiscal measures, and initiatives to boost private sector investment, all aimed at creating jobs and fostering growth.
Both leaders agreed on the importance of fast-tracking implementation and ensuring robust oversight to deliver meaningful results at speed and scale, particularly in CPF-aligned priority areas. The prime minister underscored that these efforts would also support his broader initiative to resolve implementation bottlenecks in ongoing development projects, strengthening investor confidence and unlocking growth opportunities across sectors.
Banga, in turn, expressed gratitude for the warm reception and commended Pakistan’s ongoing reform efforts. He reaffirmed the World Bank Group’s commitment to deepening cooperation through a “One World Bank Group” approach, stressing that leveraging private resources alongside coordinated engagement with development partners would be essential to realize the government’s reform ambitions.
The meeting reflected a shared determination to strengthen Pakistan’s economic resilience, accelerate reforms, and translate strategic planning into tangible development outcomes. Both sides highlighted the need for continued collaboration to ensure that investments and policy measures effectively addressed structural challenges, delivered jobs, and fostered sustainable economic growth.
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