Bangkok:Pakistan and the World Bank have agreed to enhance their cooperation to further shared objectives under the Country Partnership Framework.
According to Radio Pakistan, this commitment was made during a meeting between Pakistan's Minister for Economic Affairs, Ahad Khan Cheema, who also serves as the country's Governor to the World Bank Group, and Anna Bjerde, Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank. The meeting took place in Bangkok, Thailand, on the sidelines of the 2026 World Bank Group-IMF Annual Meetings. Discussions centered on implementing Pakistan's Country Partnership Framework for 2026-2035.
Ahad Khan Cheema highlighted the government's dedication to achieving the Country Partnership Framework's goals through tangible development outcomes. He called for increased technical and financial support, integrated multisectoral programs, and digital monitoring systems to track progress and measure impact. Emphasizing the need for stronger project preparedness, he advocated for dedicated Project Readiness Facilities, predictable financing, and enhanced implementation support to expedite project approvals and execution.
Cheema also stressed the importance of addressing systemic bottlenecks in project planning and implementation through a whole-of-government initiative introduced by the Prime Minister. He underscored the necessity for greater operational effectiveness, stronger institutional capacity, and a shared focus on timely delivery. Efficient deployment of concessional resources was highlighted as crucial for maximizing development impact while maintaining debt sustainability.
The discussions further covered the World Bank Group's support for critical sectors like human development, climate resilience, water and sanitation, and economic transformation. Cheema also pointed to the significance of investments in sectors with high job-creation potential to expand employment opportunities and promote inclusive growth. He advocated for increased support for the ML-1 Railway Upgradation Project and the development of an Economic Railway Corridor to enhance connectivity and economic opportunities, alongside advancing Pakistan's minerals sector through a proposed Minerals Compact.
Anna Bjerde reaffirmed the World Bank's commitment to supporting Pakistan's priority sectors, enhancing operational efficiency, and accelerating project implementation. Both parties agreed on the importance of ensuring that development financing leads to timely, sustainable, and measurable benefits for the people of Pakistan.