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ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP):Pakistan is moving closer to launching a USD1 billion Panda Bond programme, with the inaugural USD250 million-equivalent issuance targeted for January, while preparatory work for subsequent tranches under Panda Series-II is already underway with Chinese regulators kept fully informed.
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb chaired a meeting on Friday to review progress on Pakistan’s inaugural Panda Bond issuance.
He was briefed by the Ministry of Finance’s Debt Management Office team, along with senior officers of the Finance Division, on the status of approvals, investor engagement, and regulatory processes.
The meeting noted that approvals from multilateral partners have been secured and that engagement with Chinese institutional investors has been constructive. Investor sentiment has been particularly strong and highly constructive, with broad-based interest and encouraging feedback from a diversified investor base in this competitive inaugural issuance.
This reflects strengthening confidence in Pakistan’s macroeconomic stabilization, an improved policy and reform framework, and a positive medium-term outlook. Final regulatory approvals from the relevant Chinese authorities are expected by early January, subject to which the inaugural issuance is planned to be launched and concluded in January.
The Finance Minister emphasized that Pakistan’s entry into the Chinese onshore bond market is being pursued as a structured and programmatic financing strategy, aligned with prudent debt management objectives.
Participants highlighted that prevailing market conditions remain supportive, with broad-based investor interest and orderly market functioning. Documentation and guarantees are in place, and engagement with financial institutions is progressing as planned.
The meeting was also informed that initial outreach has been undertaken with financial institutions for Panda Series II, with proposals expected around the closing of the inaugural issuance. Pricing will be determined closer to market engagement following completion of all regulatory requirements.
Concluding the meeting, the Finance Minister expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to prudent, market-based financing, noting that the inaugural Panda Bond will further support Pakistan’s medium-term debt sustainability and diversification of funding sources.