World Bank reaffirms $20bn 10-year development plan for Pakistan

World Bank Group Managing Director Ms Anna Bjerde has reaffirmed the World Bank Group’s commitment to Pakistan’s ten-year development programme amounting to $20 billion, underscoring the money lending entity’s continued support for Pakistan’s reform and development agenda.

The World Bank MD said this in a meeting with Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Sunday on the sidelines of the Annual AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies, being held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Finance Division said in a press release, as both the dignitaries discussed country partnership framework and development priorities.

During the meeting, while following up on World Bank President Ajay Banga’s visit to Pakistan last week, Bjerde highlighted the importance of sustained engagement and effective execution to maximise the developmental impact of the programme.

The both sides reviewed the progress made under the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) and discussed the way forward to further strengthen development cooperation.

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The discussions covered a range of priority sectors including energy, education, health, climate resilience, debt-for-development swaps, fiscal reforms, and infrastructure development.

Emphasis was placed on adopting a more focused approach, introducing clear performance trackers, and ensuring more robust and effective implementation mechanisms to translate commitments into tangible outcomes.

Senator Aurangzeb reiterated the government of Pakistan’s commitment to close collaboration with the World Bank Group and assured full cooperation through relevant federal ministries.

He also underscored the role and cooperation of the provincial governments to ensure better coordination, timely execution, and delivery of measurable results under the programme.

The AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies, launched in 2025, brings together finance ministers, central bank governors, senior policymakers, leaders of international financial institutions, and leading experts from around the world to deliberate on key economic challenges and opportunities facing emerging market economies.