World Bank Reaffirms $20bn Pakistan Programme

The World Bank reaffirms its commitment to Pakistan’s $20bn development programme, backing reforms and focused implementation under the Country Partnership Framework.

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The World Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to Pakistan’s $20 billion development programme, underscoring continued support for the country’s reform and development agenda. The assurance came during a meeting between Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and World Bank Group Managing Director Anna Bjerde on the sidelines of the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies in Saudi Arabia.

The meeting reviewed progress under Pakistan’s Country Partnership Framework (CPF) and followed up on the recent visit of the World Bank president to Pakistan. Discussions focused on priority sectors including energy, education, health, climate resilience, infrastructure, fiscal reforms and debt-for-development swaps.

Both sides emphasised the importance of a more focused approach, supported by clear performance indicators and strong implementation mechanisms, to ensure timely and measurable outcomes. Anna Bjerde reaffirmed the World Bank Group’s long-term commitment to Pakistan’s 10-year development framework and the $20 billion financing envelope.

The finance minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to close collaboration with the World Bank, including active coordination with provincial governments to strengthen delivery and implementation. He stressed the importance of aligning reforms across federal and provincial levels.

Last year, the World Bank’s Board approved the $20 billion loan package for the 2025–2035 period. The programme aims to reduce learning poverty, improve health outcomes and enhance protection against climate-related risks, while supporting long-term economic stability.