Analyzes the commitment to deepen cooperation within the framework of the ‘One World Bank Group’ initiative
World Bank President Ajay Pal Singh Banga and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. PHOTO: WORLD BANK/PMO
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday met World Bank Group (WBG) President Ajay Pal Singh Banga in Islamabad and welcomed him on his first official visit to Pakistan as WBG President.
Banga is on a four-day high-level visit, touring various official and cultural sites. Their 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. 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, praising their commitment to supporting the country’s development priorities. He also praised the World Bank Group’s ten-year National Partnership Framework (CPF), describing it as a model of cooperative initiatives, and recognized Banga’s leadership in strengthening the WBG’s role as an effective partner for Pakistan’s development.
“Pakistan values the World Bank Group’s important support for the country’s economic growth and reforms,” the prime minister said.
He added that the government is fully committed to a comprehensive and multidimensional reform program adapted to national needs to achieve sustainable economic stability. “We value the support of the World Bank Group to strengthen infrastructure, agribusiness, digital development, energy, human capital, financial reforms, job creation and private sector investment,” the statement reads.
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Both the Prime Minister and Banga emphasized that the MAP should ensure rapid implementation of aligned priorities and effective monitoring to achieve timely and large-scale results. Chief Minister Shehbaz noted that these steps would help overcome hurdles in the execution of development projects and align with his vision of 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 efficient use of private resources,” he said.
The meeting underlined the shared objective of ensuring that Pakistan’s development programs are implemented effectively and sustainably, and both sides committed to maintaining close collaboration over the next decade.
