Karachi: During a string of high-level meetings at the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings 2025 in Washington, D.C., the Pakistani Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb reaffirmed the commitment of the government to economic reforms.
On the inaugural day, he had an assurance meeting with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva without fail that Pakistan was not going to reduce its reform drive, followed by an invitation extended by the Prime Minister for a trip to Pakistan.
The discussion followed Pakistan's agreement with the IMF on staff-level terms for an Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement of $7 billion reached last July 2024 and subsequently approved by the IMF Executive Board in September.
On top of that, a new $1.3 billion arrangement was also finalized last month, bolstering even further international support to Pakistan's course toward recovery.
Aurangzeb also held a meeting with the President of the World Bank, Mr. Ajay Banga, in which the finance minister thanked the Bank for its continued support and appreciated the development of the Country Partnership Framework (CPF)--which is a ten-year strategic roadmap--and discussed implementation to be largely focused on measurable outcomes.
While Aurangzeb was in Washington, many other meetings took place with major stakeholders, including a delegation from Deloitte, who heard about Pakistan's macroeconomic outlook and strategy for export-led growth.
He also had talks with Mr. Robert Kaproth, Assistant Secretary of the US Department of the Treasury, where discussions centered on reforms in the areas of taxation, energy, SOEs, pensions, and debt management.
With this proactive action, it is indeed for Pakistan to regain investor confidence and stabilize the economy by forging important external partnerships in line with long-term development goals.
[Source Credit: Business Recorder]
