Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Friday praised Standard Chartered Bank for its sustained support to Pakistan’s economic stabilization and reform agenda, highlighting the bank’s role during the negotiation and implementation phases of the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The remarks were made during a high-level meeting in Islamabad with a senior delegation from Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan.
The delegation was led by Christopher Parsons, Chairman of the Board and Senior Executive Officer for DIFC and ADGM, and included board members and senior management officials. According to an official press statement, the visit marked the first time in several years that Standard Chartered’s board convened in Pakistan’s capital, reflecting renewed engagement and confidence in the country’s economic direction.
During the meeting, the Standard Chartered delegation shared positive feedback received from international financial institutions and global market participants regarding Pakistan’s improving economic outlook. They noted that sentiment in international financial circles has become increasingly constructive, driven by fiscal discipline, progress under the IMF programme, and a clearer reform roadmap adopted by the government.
Finance Minister Aurangzeb welcomed the delegation and expressed appreciation for Standard Chartered’s continued partnership with Pakistan. He acknowledged the bank’s constructive role in strengthening market confidence, supporting external financing requirements, and maintaining engagement with international investors during periods of economic uncertainty. The minister emphasized that such partnerships are critical as Pakistan transitions from stabilization toward sustainable growth.
Aurangzeb briefed the delegation on the government’s evolving economic priorities, outlining a strategic shift from short-term macroeconomic stabilization to an investment-led and export-oriented growth model. He highlighted that the focus is now on unlocking private sector investment, enhancing productivity, and expanding Pakistan’s export base to ensure long-term economic resilience.
Discussions during the meeting centred on expanding cooperation in key areas including privatization, foreign direct investment, and access to international capital markets. The finance minister underscored the government’s renewed push for privatization, describing it as a central pillar of the reform agenda. He stressed the need for credible advisory support from experienced global institutions to accelerate transactions, ensure transparency, and attract reputable international investors.
Aurangzeb also outlined ongoing efforts to diversify Pakistan’s financing channels and reduce reliance on traditional borrowing. He shared updates on progress toward issuing Panda bonds in the Chinese market and refreshing Pakistan’s Global Medium Term Note programme. These initiatives, he said, are aimed at broadening the investor base, improving debt maturity profiles, and securing more cost-effective funding.
The Standard Chartered delegation reaffirmed Pakistan’s status as a priority market for the bank. They expressed readiness to support the government through advisory services, syndication arrangements, and by leveraging the bank’s global network to connect Pakistan with international investors. Particular emphasis was placed on investor engagement in the Gulf Cooperation Council region as well as broader global markets.
Delegation members also conveyed interest in facilitating investment inflows into key sectors and large-scale development projects, noting that improved macroeconomic indicators and policy consistency have made Pakistan more attractive to long-term investors. They emphasized the importance of sustained reform momentum to maintain investor confidence and unlock capital flows.
The finance minister informed the delegation that the government is actively addressing major structural challenges that have historically constrained investment, including taxation complexities and inefficiencies in the energy sector. He added that institutional reforms are being implemented to strengthen policy-making capacity, improve governance, and enhance coordination across economic ministries.
Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination going forward, recognising the importance of sustained engagement between the public and private sectors. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to support Pakistan’s reform trajectory, strengthen investor confidence, and contribute to the country’s long-term economic growth and financial stability.
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