ISLAMABAD, April 19 (Alliance News): Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb concluded his engagements at the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C., holding a series of high-level meetings with global financial institutions, development partners, and private sector stakeholders to advance Pakistan’s economic agenda.
During a meeting with Francis Brooke at the United States Department of the Treasury, the minister shared progress on macroeconomic stabilization, re-entry into international capital markets, and prudent debt management.
He also highlighted investment opportunities in Pakistan’s minerals and energy sectors and discussed cooperation in anti-money laundering frameworks.
In talks with Kalpana Kochhar of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Aurangzeb reaffirmed strong collaboration, stressing that polio eradication remains a national priority. He also outlined reforms at the Federal Board of Revenue, including digital compliance systems and AI-based monitoring.
The finance minister, in a separate meeting with Jenny Chapman, reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to fiscal discipline, noting a current account surplus in the first nine months of the fiscal year and progress toward meeting annual targets.
He acknowledged support from Saudi Arabia and highlighted Pakistan’s return to global capital markets.
Engagements also included discussions with Shohei Hara of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, where both sides welcomed the resumption of JICA’s lending portfolio, and with Zou Jiayi of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, focusing on infrastructure financing and future investments.
In meetings with S&P Global Ratings and Citibank, Aurangzeb confirmed that Pakistan has reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund, with Board approval expected soon.
He also highlighted the successful repayment of $1.4 billion in Eurobonds and outlined plans for future bond issuances, including Sukuk and Panda Bonds.
The minister also participated in a World Bank roundtable on digital social protection, where he highlighted Pakistan’s progress in digital public infrastructure and the transformation of the Benazir Income Support Programme, emphasizing its role in financial inclusion and targeted subsidy delivery.
The wide-ranging engagements reflect Pakistan’s improving economic outlook, commitment to reforms, and efforts to strengthen global partnerships for sustainable growth.
