Pakistan vigorously working on economic reform agenda, PM tells WB president

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the government of Pakistan is vigorously working on economic reform agenda with multi-pronged comprehensive structural home grown program aimed at sustainable economic stability.

He stated this when World Bank Group (WBG) President Ajay Banga called on the prime minister in Islamabad.

Prime Minister welcomed Ajay Banga at his first official visit as President of the World Bank Group.

The premier 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).

He also appreciated Banga's leadership in transforming the World Bank Group into more impactful development partner.

PM Shehbaz 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.

Both 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 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.

Ajay Banga expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for his reception and hospitality in Pakistan. Mr. Ajay Banga commended 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, is necessary to meet the ambition of the government’s reform agenda.