ISLAMABAD, Apr 13 (APP):Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Monday commenced his engagements at the World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings 2026 with a meeting with Anna Bjerde, Managing Director (Operations), World Bank Group in Washington, D.C. The minister appreciated the World Bank Group’s longstanding support to Pakistan’s reform and development agenda, said a news release. The two sides discussed Pakistan’s economic outlook, including the management of first …
Aurangzeb discusses reform agenda, social protection with World Bank
ISLAMABAD, Apr 13 (APP):Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Monday commenced his engagements at the World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings 2026 with a meeting with Anna Bjerde, Managing Director (Operations), World Bank Group in Washington, D.C.
The minister appreciated the World Bank Group’s longstanding support to Pakistan’s reform and development agenda, said a news release.
The two sides discussed Pakistan’s economic outlook, including the management of first and second-order effects arising from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Both sides agreed on the importance of strengthening social protection measures to cushion the impact of external shocks on vulnerable segments of the population.
The meeting also reviewed progress under the Country Partnership Framework (CPF). While acknowledging meaningful progress in several priority areas, both sides emphasized the need for sustained efforts to fully achieve the framework’s objectives.
Aurangzeb highlighted the importance of adopting a coordinated federal and provincial approach to effectively address Pakistan’s demographic challenges. In this context, he requested the World Bank Group to support the development of a comprehensive Master Plan.
Meanwhile, Senator Aurangzeb also held a meeting with Jorge Familiar Calderón, Vice President, World Bank Group, on the sidelines of Meetings.
He congratulated Familiar Calderón on his recent appointment and underscored the critical role of the World Bank Group Treasury in supporting developing economies through enhanced access to capital markets, financial innovation, and advisory services in debt and risk management.
Senator Aurangzeb outlined Pakistan’s diversified financing strategy, highlighting the use of instruments such as Sukuk and ESG-linked financing, as well as efforts to tap non-traditional markets.
He also emphasized ongoing initiatives to deepen the domestic bond market as part of broader efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s financial architecture.
The minister stressed the importance of knowledge exchange and capacity building, and called for enhanced technical support, advanced analytical tools, and specialized training for Pakistan’s Debt Management Office to strengthen long-term financial resilience.
He apprised that the Advisor, Debt Management Office, Ministry of Finance, would serve as the focal person for coordinating collaborative programs with the World Bank Group.
In a separate meeting with Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Senator Aurangzeb highlighted the economic impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and noted that the government of Pakistan is closely monitoring the evolving situation and responding in a timely and effective manner.
The minister appreciated the IFC’s continued support to Pakistan, particularly its role in mobilizing local currency financing. He underscored the importance of further strengthening IFC’s engagement to boost private sector investment, enhance productivity, and promote job creation in the country.
Senator Aurangzeb requested IFC’s support in developing Pakistan’s capital markets, drawing on successful models from comparable economies. He also acknowledged IFC’s contribution to trade finance and emphasized its critical importance in the current economic environment.
Aurangzeb highlighted the need for closer collaboration between IFC and the Prime Minister’s Task Force on Agriculture to support growth and innovation in the sector.
He further appreciated IFC’s evolving capital mobilization strategy, particularly its transition from a traditional balance sheet approach to an originate-and-distribute model, aimed at leveraging private capital at scale.
The meeting reaffirmed the strong partnership between Pakistan and IFC and underscored the shared commitment to promoting sustainable economic growth through private sector development.
