Muhammad Aurangzeb, Pakistan’s finance minister, departed for United States on Saturday to attend the annual meetings of International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, as the country pushes for a critical staff-level agreement with the global lender. The high-stakes visit comes at a pivotal time when Pakistan is navigating tough economic conditions and seeking renewed international support.
According to the finance ministry, the six-day official visit will include more than 65 scheduled events, meetings, and forums. Aurangzeb will hold key discussions with IMF and World Bank leadership, senior officials from International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), as well as high-level bilateral meetings with finance ministers and senior economic representatives from China, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Azerbaijan.
The visit follows the conclusion of IMF review talks in Karachi and Islamabad earlier this week. An IMF mission led by Iva Petrova wrapped up discussions on the second review under the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the first review of the $1.4 billion Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). Under the RSF, Pakistan expects a $400 million tranche, while the EFF review is critical for the release of additional funds and the continuation of the economic reform programme.
Before his departure, Aurangzeb expressed optimism that an SLA with the IMF could be finalised during his Washington visit, which could unlock much-needed foreign inflows. The finance ministry confirmed that he will meet IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva at the MENAP (Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan) forum, where he will deliver a keynote address highlighting Pakistan’s economic strategy and reform progress.
He is also scheduled to hold a one-on-one meeting with Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank, and attend a high-level dinner hosted for finance ministers of selected countries. His engagements will also include a regional roundtable on the digital transformation of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), where tax officials from multiple countries will participate to share technology-driven solutions for revenue collection and governance.
The minister’s itinerary includes meetings with senior officials from the White House, United States Department of State, United States Department of the Treasury, and United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). He is expected to highlight investment opportunities in Pakistan and outline tax reforms aimed at creating a stable and predictable business environment.
Aurangzeb will also meet with members of the U.S.-Pakistan Business Council and senior executives of global credit rating agencies, commercial banks, and Middle Eastern investment banks to encourage capital inflows. His team is expected to emphasize Pakistan’s macroeconomic reform trajectory and its commitment to maintaining fiscal discipline and strengthening foreign exchange reserves.
The finance minister’s visit further includes public engagements at leading US think tanks, including Atlantic Council and Peterson Institute for International Economics, where he will participate in policy discussions on emerging market economies and international financial cooperation. He is also scheduled to give interviews to international media outlets, aiming to shape investor perception and build confidence in Pakistan’s economic future.
This trip is viewed as a crucial step in Islamabad’s broader strategy to stabilize the economy, secure external financing, and reinforce its reform commitments to international partners. The outcomes of these discussions are expected to influence Pakistan’s macroeconomic stability and fiscal outlook in the months ahead.
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