KARACHI: Pakistan on Thursday sought the World Bank’s technical assistance to fast track the implementation of the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) discussed between the two sides earlier this year, according to an official statement circulated by the finance ministry.
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors endorsed the framework in January, aiming to support Pakistan’s long-term development by building human capital, promoting private sector-led growth and enhancing climate resilience through up to $20 billion in pledged lending over the next decade.
A World Bank delegation led by Managing Director for Operations Anna Bjerde met with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb in Islamabad during the day to review the Bank’s financing portfolio and strengthen bilateral cooperation.
“We are focused on ensuring that climate resilience and sustainable development remain at the heart of our economic planning,” Aurangzeb said, according to the statement. “The CPF represents an important opportunity, and we aim to implement it with full coordination across key ministries and stakeholders.”
The finance ministry said Aurangzeb requested the visiting delegation “to provide technical leadership and assistance to streamline processes and ensure a prioritized and focused rollout of the CPF.”
Bjerde praised Pakistan for continuing with difficult economic reforms under challenging circumstances and for aligning its growth with environmental sustainability.
She also reiterated the Bank’s support for initiatives in areas such as taxation, energy and social protection, while emphasizing girls’ education and women’s empowerment as critical to human capital and economic resilience.
Later in the day, the delegation also met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
According to a separate statement circulated by Sharif’s office, the prime minister welcomed the delegation and thanked the World Bank for playing a key role in the country’s development.
“We are grateful to the World Bank for the Country Partnership Framework, under which development investments exceeding $20 billion will be made in Pakistan,” he said.
Bjerde, in turn, commended Pakistan’s macroeconomic performance and recent stabilization efforts, describing the CPF as a “model” for other countries.
The meeting was also attended by federal ministers, advisers, parliamentarians and senior government officials along with World Bank Country Director Najy Benhassine.
