PM Shehbaz Sharif Appreciates World Bank Support, Discusses Economic Reforms with President Ajay Banga

Islamabad – February 2, 2026
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday welcomed World Bank Group (WBG) President Ajay Banga during his first official visit to Pakistan as WBG President.
In the meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Shehbaz expressed deep appreciation for the long-standing partnership between Pakistan and the World Bank Group. He particularly highlighted the World Bank’s strong commitment to Pakistan’s development priorities through the 10-year Country Partnership Framework (CPF).
The Prime Minister commended Ajay Banga’s leadership in transforming the World Bank Group into a more effective and impactful development partner. He briefed the WBG President on Pakistan’s ongoing vigorous efforts to implement a comprehensive, home-grown structural reform program aimed at achieving sustainable economic stability.
PM Shehbaz specifically appreciated the World Bank’s support in key sectors including resilient infrastructure, agribusiness, digital development, energy, human capital development, fiscal reforms, and initiatives to boost productive private investment for job creation and inclusive growth.
Both leaders emphasized the importance of fast-tracking project implementation and ensuring robust oversight to deliver results quickly and at scale, in line with CPF priorities. This, they noted, would directly support the Prime Minister’s initiative to remove implementation bottlenecks in development projects.
The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s firm commitment to structural reforms that promote job-rich growth and further strengthen investor confidence.
Ajay Banga thanked the Prime Minister for the warm reception and hospitality. He commended Pakistan’s ongoing reform efforts and reaffirmed the World Bank Group’s commitment to deepening cooperation through a “One World Bank Group” approach.
Banga stressed that leveraging greater private resources — alongside strong coordination with development partners — would be essential to realize the full ambition of Pakistan’s reform agenda.
The meeting reflects the strengthening ties between Pakistan and the World Bank Group at a critical time for the country’s economic recovery and reform journey.