ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday assured the Asian Development Bank it was committed to completing structural reforms in multiple areas as the two sides discussed new reforms in a meeting between Shixin Chen, ADB Vice President (Operations), and Omar Ayub Khan, Pakistani Federal Minister for Economic Affairs.
At present, 37 ADB-funded development projects worth $ 7.9 billion are under implementation across Pakistan in sectors spanning energy, road and transport, agriculture, urban infrastructure and the social sector. During the current fiscal year, ADB disbursed $ 1.1 billion for various development projects and programs.
Khan, “while appreciating the ADB’s continued support to Pakistan, assured the Vice President, ADB, that the Government is committed to complete structural reforms in multiple areas,” the economic affairs ministry said in a statement.
“Both the sides discussed new reform areas for ADB’s assistance including Domestic Resource Mobilization, Climate Change and Public-Private Partnerships. Domestic Resource Mobilization would help the government to create fiscal space through enhanced revenue collection and overcome the challenge of fiscal deficit.”
Khan appreciated the ADB for its continued and enhanced financial assistance to Pakistan, saying the Bank had become “the leading development partner” of Pakistan in recent years. The minister also acknowledged the ADB’s timely support amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
ADB has provided over $ 1.3 billion for Pakistan’s COVID-19 response, including for social protection, vaccines and budgetary support for fiscal stimulus.
Chen acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts for reforms in trade, energy and capital markets and commended its response against the COVID -19 pandemic including a mass vaccination program, social protection and relief measures for the general public as well as the agriculture sector and industries.
“He further appreciated that ADB’s disbursement for development projects has increased by 25 percent in a year due to continuous efforts and follow-ups of EAD & ADB Teams,” the statement said. “In this regard, he commended the Minister for Economic Affairs for his proactive approach and dedicated efforts for reviewing the progress of projects on regular basis.”
Pakistan promises Asian Development Bank it will complete ‘structural reforms’
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Pakistan promises Asian Development Bank it will complete ‘structural reforms’
- Shixin Chen, ADB Vice President, and Omar Ayub Khan, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, discuss new reforms
- New reform areas for ADB assistance including Domestic Resource Mobilization, Climate Change and Public-Private Partnerships
Pakistan name six uncapped players in ODI squad for Bangladesh series
- Series in Dhaka from Mar. 11-15 marks Pakistan’s second visit as ties between the two countries improve
- PCB says fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue to lead Pakistan’s ODI side in three-match series
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Wednesday it picked six uncapped players in its 15-member One Day International (ODI) squad for a three-match series scheduled from Mar. 11-15 against Bangladesh in Dhaka in what will be Pakistan’s second visit since relations between the two countries began to improve in 2024.
The two sides have been strengthening cricketing ties. Earlier this year, Pakistan briefly threatened to boycott its Twenty20 World Cup match against India in Colombo, citing what it called unfair treatment of Bangladesh after the International Cricket Council (ICC) moved Dhaka off the tournament schedule after the team refused to play in India over security concerns.
Pakistan later reversed its decision following negotiations, with officials saying Bangladesh’s concerns had been addressed by the ICC.
“Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue to lead the ODI side, with six uncapped players included in the squad,” the PCB said in a statement.
“The uncapped players are Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan and Shamyl Hussain.”
The Pakistan team will reach Dhaka on Mar. 8 and play a practice match on Mar. 10 before the series begins.
The first ODI will be played on Mar. 11, followed by the second on Mar. 13, with the third and final match scheduled for Mar. 15.
All three matches will take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.
The series comes amid a broader thaw in diplomatic ties between the two South Asian nations, which were part of the same country until Bangladesh’s secession following a bloody civil war in 1971, an event that long cast a shadow over relations.
Relations have warmed since August 2024, after the ouster of former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who was widely viewed as close to India.
Cricket has often reflected political currents in South Asia.
15-MEMBER SQUAD
Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jr., Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha and Shamyl Hussain
