Addressing uplift needs: ADB reaffirms its support for Pakistan’s efforts
ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has reaffirmed its support for Pakistan’s efforts to address pressing development needs through innovative financing, private sector participation and impactful investments.
ADB Vice President for South, Central and West Asia Yingming Yang addressed the National Strategic Dialogue on the Public-Private Partnership (PPP), Privatisation and the launch of Pakistan’s PPP Monitor on Friday. He welcomed Pakistan’s efforts to enhance private sector participation and said the Bank would continue its longstanding cooperation in promoting large-scale private investment.
“Mobilising private capital and expertise is essential. Well-structured PPPs can complement constrained public resources, bring private sector efficiency, support lifecycle maintenance, and improve services for citizens,” Yang said.
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He also highlighted the importance of the Pakistan PPP Monitor in providing greater visibility of the country’s PPP track record and project pipeline. The Monitor brings together information on projects and investment activity, providing investors and other stakeholders with a clearer picture of opportunities in Pakistan.
Yang concluded his five-day visit to Pakistan on Friday, during which he held meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior government officials.
During his meeting with the prime minister, Yang reiterated ADB’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Pakistan and advancing development initiatives, including creating an enabling environment for private sector growth, strengthening resilience and supporting reforms.
He also met Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, where he underscored ADB’s support for addressing Pakistan’s development needs through innovative financing and impactful investments.
Yang appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to stabilise the economy and implement structural reforms.
In meetings with Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal and Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi, he discussed key priority areas under the new Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for 2026-30.
The discussions also covered transformative investments, including upgrading Pakistan Railways, fast-tracking project readiness while maintaining preparation quality, and supporting economic growth.
During his visit, Yang also visited the newly upgraded National Power Control Centre in Islamabad and delivered keynote addresses at high-level dialogues on taxation for fiscal sustainability and PPPs and private sector development.
He also visited the site of ADB’s new office building in Islamabad, where he planted a tree.
The ADB vice president held meetings with development partners, business leaders and university faculty to exchange views and explore greater collaboration and synergy in achieving shared development objectives.
Yang also travelled to Lahore, where he met Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the senior minister and other senior government officials.
Discussions focused on the development priorities for Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province and major agricultural hub, including workforce development, future skills and jobs, digital transformation, and modernisation of agriculture and critical infrastructure.
ADB has supported Pakistan since the country became a founding member of the Bank in 1966. Since then, the Bank has committed 764 public sector loans, grants and technical assistance amounting to USD 58.6 billion.
Currently, ADB has an active portfolio of more than USD 10 billion in Pakistan, covering around 50 operations.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026