ISLAMABAD: United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on Wednesday spoke by phone with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, and discussed the drawdown in Afghanistan.
Under a 2020 agreement reached by the Trump administration, the Taliban required the departure by May 1 of all US troops and non-diplomatic civilian personnel.
President Joe Biden delayed the pullout while his administration reviewed the agreement and Afghanistan policy. He decided earlier this month to begin the withdrawal and complete it by September 11, the anniversary of Al-Qaeda’s 2001 attacks on the United States that triggered the US-led invasion that year.
“During the call, Secretary Austin reaffirmed the importance of the US – Pakistan bilateral relationship and expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s support for Afghanistan Peace Negotiations,” a statement by the US department of defense said. “Secretary Austin and General Bajwa also discussed the drawdown in Afghanistan.”
The statement added: “Secretary Austin and General Bajwa discussed the importance of regional stability and the desire for the United States and Pakistan to continue working together on shared goals and objectives in the region.”
The departure of thousands of American contractors, especially those serving the Afghan security forces, has raised concerns among some US and Pakistani officials about the ability of the Afghan government and military to sustain critical functions. Officials worry the departure would cede control to the Taliban, expressing concerns about rights, the potential for civil war and whether Afghanistan would again become a refuge for militants.
US secretary of defense, Pakistan army chief discuss Afghan drawdown
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US secretary of defense, Pakistan army chief discuss Afghan drawdown
- Biden decided earlier this month to begin troop withdrawal and complete it by September 11
- Officials express concerns about rights, potential for civil war, whether Afghanistan would become militant refuge
Pakistan seeks operationalization of World Bank’s $20 billion framework to advance reform priorities
Pakistan seeks operationalization of World Bank’s $20 billion framework to advance reform priorities
- Pakistan’s finance chief meets World Bank Country Director Bolormaa Amgaabazar in the capital
- The Bank’s 10-year Country Partnership Agreement for Pakistan was approved in January last year
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday called for the operationalization of the World Bank Country Partnership Framework (CPF) to advance the government’s key reform priorities during a meeting with the Bank’s country director, according to a statement.
The Bank’s Board of Directors approved a 10-year CPF deal with Pakistan, indicating $20 billion in financing for Pakistan under the framework. The amount will include public and private financing from the World Bank Group, with roughly half expected to come from private-sector operations led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
“The Finance Minister emphasized the importance of effective operationalization of the CPF, particularly in priority areas such as population management and climate change,” the finance ministry said in a statement after Aurangzeb’s meeting with the Bank’s Country Director Bolormaa Amgaabazar.
“He underscored the need for strong coordination between federal and provincial governments to ensure coherence in policy design and implementation.”
Discussions focused on population, human capital development, climate resilience, agricultural reform and energy sector sustainability, it added.
The ministry said both sides exchanged views on enhancing institutional coordination, improving transparency in project design and strengthening monitoring mechanisms to deliver intended outcomes. It highlighted that the World Bank expressed readiness to continue supporting agricultural transformation efforts in collaboration with the IFC.
“Both sides agreed to continue technical-level engagements to explore feasible solutions in line with Pakistan’s reform agenda and fiscal framework,” the finance ministry added.
Climate resilience and population control are major concerns for policymakers in Pakistan, a country whose population exceeds 241 million, making it the world’s sixth-most populous country. Limited infrastructure, health care, and educational opportunities place added strain on public services, contributing to unemployment and poverty.
The South Asian nation is also among the countries most affected by climate change. Unusually heavy monsoon rains in 2022 killed more than 1,700 people and caused over $30 billion in damages. Torrential rains and floods since late June last year have claimed more than 1,000 lives, as authorities continue surveys to assess the full extent of the destruction.
