Aurangzeb Secures Reform Backing at WB-IMF Meetings

ISLAMABAD: Finance and Revenue Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb conducted key meetings during the 2025 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund to advance Pakistan’s economic reforms and explore financing opportunities.

In discussions with Standard Chartered Bank’s senior management, the minister recognized the bank’s enduring partnership with Pakistan. He cited external validation of reforms from international rating agencies, detailed the recent Panda Bond issuance, and outlined plans for Eurobonds and International Sukuk to tap global capital markets. Trade financing was also covered, with Aurangzeb seeking enhanced proposals to deepen collaboration.

The minister joined a working dinner hosted by Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh at Pakistan House, interacting with prominent Pakistani entrepreneurs. He elaborated on macroeconomic stability, structural reforms, efforts to streamline regulations, improve taxation, and tackle issues in the energy sector, state-owned enterprises, and privatization.

Aurangzeb highlighted Pakistan’s upgraded credit ratings, which have restored business confidence, and thanked the IMF and World Bank for aiding economic stabilization and climate change mitigation. He solicited proposals from the business community to bolster Pakistan-US economic ties, receiving commitments of full support for the government’s economic agenda.