Public and Private: Aligned for Pakistan’s Progress

At the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC, Pakistan stepped forward with a renewed economic narrative — one rooted in reform, resilience, and results.

In a high-level dialogue hosted by the Embassy of Pakistan, Washington D.C, Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb called for a new era of public-private collaboration. He positioned the government as an enabler — not an operator — of economic growth, urging the private sector to co-lead solutions to existential challenges like population growth and climate change. “This is a mindset shift — much like AI is reshaping our world,” he stated.

Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh underscored Pakistan’s geo-economic strength and invited U.S. businesses to “profit from the promise of Pakistan,” citing strengths in IT, minerals, and connectivity.

Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz, spotlighted the role of inclusive digital infrastructure and platforms like JazzCash, which are empowering over 48 million people, many of them accessing the formal economy for the first time. “This isn’t just financial inclusion — it’s financial dignity,” he said, calling for belief in the country’s momentum and continued confidence in its reform path.

Other global voices echoed this optimism:
• Christos Harpantidis (Philip Morris International) emphasized continued investment due to economic stability and exchange rate predictability.
• Hasnain Aslam (TRG – The Resource Group) advocated for scaling IT exports to $25–30 billion, leveraging Pakistan’s telecom and talent.
• Martin Raiser (The World Bank) reaffirmed support through a $40B, 10-year Country Partnership Framework.
• Bahador Bijani (International Monetary Fund) praised policy consistency, record-low inflation, and stable currency.
• Charles Freeman (U.S. Chamber of Commerce) announced a landmark business delegation visit to Pakistan — the first in 7 years.

Key themes included:
• Private sector as a force for development
• Government as a facilitator of “Pakistan Inc.”
• Scaling IT exports and digital infrastructure
• Climate and population challenges
• U.S.-Pakistan business ties and global investor confidence

This wasn’t just a meeting — it was a moment of convergence, signaling that Pakistan’s next chapter will be written in partnership.