World Bank Group, IMF meetings in Bangkok: Aurangzeb assumes chairmanship of Borrowers Platform

BANGKOK: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb held a series of meetings and participated in key ministerial engagements on the sidelines of the Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Bangkok, Thailand.

The engagements focused on Pakistan’s macroeconomic stabilization, structural reforms, investment opportunities, climate finance, development financing and international cooperation on debt management.

In a meeting with Dan Katz, First Deputy Managing Director of the IMF, the Finance Minister discussed Pakistan’s macroeconomic stabilization, progress under the IMF-supported programme and ongoing structural reforms.

Both sides welcomed the staff-level agreement and acknowledged improvements in fiscal performance, foreign exchange reserves, inflation and external sector stability.

Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb highlighted improved investor confidence, sovereign credit rating upgrades and renewed access to international capital markets. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline, tax reforms, privatization and sustainable economic growth.

Discussions also covered the impact of the Middle East conflict on energy prices and inflation, including targeted relief for vulnerable households within fiscal constraints.

Additionally, participating in the 17th V20 Ministerial Dialogue, the Finance Minister appreciated the V20’s support in developing Pakistan’s Climate Prosperity Plan and identifying bankable projects to attract climate finance. He emphasized fiscal responsibility and the need to strengthen domestic and external buffers against climate challenges and geopolitical shocks.

Highlighting opportunities to mobilize green investment, he referred to Pakistan’s inaugural green Panda bond. Welcoming the proposed fund initiative, he stressed collective ownership, accountability and effective implementation, cautioning against initiatives remaining unimplemented in light of the experience of the Loss and Damage Fund. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for advancing the V20’s climate finance agenda.

The Finance Minister also accepted the chairmanship of the Governing Council of the Borrowers’ Platform on behalf of Pakistan, acknowledging Egypt’s leadership and the contributions of member countries and the Secretariat in operationalizing the Platform. He emphasized that the Platform should promote mutual learning and technical cooperation rather than serve as a collective bargaining or crisis-management mechanism. Outlining Pakistan’s priorities under the 2026–27 work plan, he highlighted strengthening debt-management practices, sharing reform experiences and exploring innovative development-financing instruments.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026