Discusses commitment to deepen cooperation under the “One World Bank Group” initiative.
World Bank President Ajay Pal Singh Banga, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif PHOTO: WORLD BANK/ PMO
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met World Bank Group (WBG) President Ajay Pal Singh Banga in Islamabad on Monday and welcomed him on his first official visit to Pakistan as WBG President.
Banga is on a four-day high-level visit, visiting several official and cultural sites. His visit began on February 1 and will continue until February 4. During his stay, he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and other senior officials. The discussions are expected to focus on economic reforms, development cooperation and regional projects.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the long-term partnership between Pakistan and the World Bank Group and praised its commitment to support the country’s development priorities. He also praised the ten-year World Bank Group Country Partnership Framework (CPF), describing it as a model for collaborative initiatives, and acknowledged Banga’s leadership in strengthening the WBG’s role as an effective development partner for Pakistan.
“Pakistan appreciates the World Bank Group’s significant support for the country’s economic growth and reforms,” the prime minister said.
He added that the government is fully committed to a comprehensive, multidimensional reform program tailored to national needs to achieve sustainable economic stability. “We appreciate the World Bank Group’s support to strengthen infrastructure, agribusiness, digital development, energy, human capital, financial reforms, job creation and private sector investment,” the statement read.
Read: WB chief visits cultural heritage
Both the Prime Minister and Banga emphasized that the CPF should ensure swift implementation of agreed priorities and effective monitoring to achieve timely and major results. Prime Minister Shehbaz noted that these steps would help overcome hurdles in the development project’s execution and align with his vision for progress.
The Prime Minister also reaffirmed his commitment to comprehensive administrative reforms aimed at promoting employment-based economic growth and further strengthening investor confidence.
Banga thanked the Prime Minister for the warm welcome and hospitality and praised Pakistan’s ongoing reform efforts. “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 effective use of private resources,” he said.
The meeting underscored the common goal of ensuring that Pakistan’s development programs are delivered efficiently and sustainably, with both sides committing to close cooperation over the next decade.
