Pakistan’s reform-driven economic outlook received a significant boost as the World Bank reaffirmed its unprecedented $40 billion support package under the upcoming Country Partnership Framework (CPF 2026–2035). The commitment was reiterated during a high-profile meeting in New York between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, highlighting renewed international confidence in Pakistan’s long-term development trajectory.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister praised the World Bank’s consistent support for Pakistan through critical junctures, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating floods of 2022. He underscored that such assistance not only provided immediate relief but also helped stabilize the country’s economic foundation in times of crisis.
Sharif presented a detailed overview of the government’s reform agenda, which focuses on four central pillars: resource mobilization, energy sector restructuring, privatization of state-owned enterprises, and advancing climate resilience strategies. According to him, these measures have already yielded positive results, including macroeconomic stabilization, restoration of investor confidence, and a pathway toward sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
He further expressed appreciation for the new CPF’s historic scale, describing the $40 billion commitment as a transformative opportunity to accelerate Pakistan’s development agenda. Importantly, the Prime Minister reaffirmed his government’s resolve to implement the framework effectively in close coordination with provincial governments, ensuring that reform benefits reach communities across the country.
World Bank President Ajay Banga welcomed the progress achieved through Pakistan’s reform measures and commended the government’s focus on long-term sustainability. He highlighted the Bank’s readiness to extend continued support in critical areas, particularly in driving economic reforms, strengthening institutional capacity, and building climate resilience.
The World Bank has increasingly emphasized climate-smart development, a priority it shares with Pakistan given the country’s vulnerability to climate-related shocks. Both leaders noted that future collaboration under the CPF would not only address fiscal and structural challenges but also support Pakistan’s transition toward climate-resilient growth models.
The discussions also underscored the importance of privatization as a tool for unlocking efficiency in key sectors and reducing fiscal pressures. Energy sector reforms were singled out as a vital area where World Bank expertise and financing could accelerate transformation, improve service delivery, and reduce circular debt.
With the CPF spanning nearly a decade, the partnership signals a long-term commitment to Pakistan’s economic and social transformation. The framework is designed to align international financing with Pakistan’s domestic priorities, enabling large-scale investments in infrastructure, human capital, and digital inclusion while supporting macroeconomic discipline.
As the meeting concluded, both sides reaffirmed their shared determination to strengthen cooperation under the CPF and pursue reforms that can drive stability and prosperity. For Pakistan, the reaffirmed support not only offers financial security but also enhances its credibility on the global stage, reinforcing the narrative of a country moving steadily toward sustainable growth.
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