PM Shehbaz acknowledges WB’s valuable support in advancing Pakistan’s economic development

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday acknowledged the World Bank Group’s valuable support which had been instrumental in advancing Pakistan’s economic development and reforms.

He said this while talking to World Bank Group (WBG) President Ajay Banga who called on him at the PM House.

The prime minister welcomed Ajay Banga at his first official visit as the World Bank Group president.

PM Shehbaz appreciated the World Bank Group for its long-standing partnership with Pakistan and its commitment to supporting the development priorities of the country especially through the 10-year World Bank Group Country Partnership Framework (CPF).

The premier also appreciated Banga’s leadership in transforming the World Bank Group into more impactful development partner.

He stated that the government was vigorously working on economic reform agenda with multi-pronged comprehensive structural home grown programme aimed at sustainable economic stability.

The prime minister appreciated the support of the World Bank Group in resilient infrastructure, agribusiness, digital development, energy, human capital, fiscal reforms, and increasing productive private investment for job creation and growth.

PM Shehbaz and Banga reiterated the need to fast-track implementation and ensure strong oversight to deliver impact at speed and scale on CPF-aligned priorities.

These measures would duly assist the prime minister’s initiative to address and resolve Implementation Bottlenecks in development projects.

The prime minister expressed the government’s commitment to structural reforms that would unlock job-rich growth and further strengthen investors’ confidence.

Banga expressed his gratitude to the prime minister for his reception and hospitality in Pakistan. He commended the government of Pakistan’s ongoing reform efforts and reaffirmed his commitment to deepening cooperation through a One World Bank Group approach.

He added that greater leverage of private resources, in addition to strong coordination with development partners, was necessary to meet the ambition of the government’s reform agenda.

President Banga meets CM Afridi

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi also met with WBG President Banga in Islamabad today to discuss expanding cooperation in the sectors of health, education, minerals, energy, and climate resilience.

The meeting was also attended by KP’s Adviser on Finance Muzammil Aslam, Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah, and other senior officials.

During the discussion, Chief Minister Afridi stated that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government highly values the World Bank’s support, noting that health and education remain top provincial priorities. He highlighted that substantial investments are being made in these sectors, particularly in strengthening the primary healthcare system.

The Chief Minister announced the launch of the “Ehsaas Maa” programme, under which the government will take full responsibility for the care of mothers and children from pregnancy to birth.

Notably, he shared that an additional three months of support will be provided in the event of a girl’s birth. He also reaffirmed that the province is providing universal health coverage to its entire population.

Addressing environmental and economic challenges, Afridi mentioned that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has suffered significant damage from natural disasters, prompting increased investment in climate resilience.

In line with Imran Khan’s vision, he emphasised that the interests of local populations are being prioritised within the mineral sector. Furthermore, a comprehensive strategy is being implemented to make the province food self-sufficient, including projects to bring barren lands in the southern districts under cultivation.