KARACHI: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met senior US officials, business leaders and global financial institutions in Washington DC this week, underscoring Pakistan’s diplomatic and economic push to attract foreign investment and expand bilateral cooperation.
The meetings come as Pakistan implements reforms under a $7 billion IMF program, with the World Bank projecting 2.6 percent GDP growth in FY 2026 and the IMF forecasting 3.6 percent. The government has emphasized improving macroeconomic stability, reducing inflation and expanding export competitiveness to sustain recovery.
Officials say Pakistan’s ongoing outreach in Washington aims to consolidate investor confidence, accelerate project implementation and strengthen financial partnerships as the country rebuilds after years of economic turbulence and climate-related setbacks.
“Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb has welcomed successful negotiations with the US administration leading to a tariff deal,” the Finance Division said in a statement after the leader met Robert Kaproth, Assistant US Treasury Secretary for International Finance, and Counselor Jonathan Greenstein.
In July, Pakistan and the United States concluded a tariff agreement that officials said reduced duties on Pakistani exports to 19 percent — the lowest among South Asian economies — a development that strengthened Islamabad’s case for deeper economic engagement with Washington.
Aurangzeb highlighted “strong economic fundamentals of the country underpinned by the IMF program” and briefed Treasury officials on new legislation to regulate virtual assets. He also invited US companies to invest in Pakistan’s oil & gas, mineral, agriculture and IT sectors.
The minister was also hosted by the US-Pakistan Business Counci.
“He highlighted the trade deal negotiated with the US authorities, saying he looked forward to enhanced G2G and B2B engagements with US companies in priority sectors including mines & minerals, agriculture, IT, and pharmaceuticals,” the statement said.
The finance minister also met representatives of Citi Bank, thanking the bank for its longstanding partnership and highlighting Pakistan’s emergence as a growing hub for digital innovation and financial services. Citi executives presented new proposals for financial cooperation, which the government pledged to review.
In talks with Riccardo Puliti, the International Finance Corporation’s regional vice president, Aurangzeb welcomed IFC’s growing portfolio in Pakistan, including multibillion-dollar private sector investments under a 10-year Country Partnership Framework.
Both sides agreed to fast-track financial closure for IFC’s flagship Reko Diq project, a massive copper and gold mining venture in Balochistan province expected to be one of the largest foreign direct investments in Pakistan’s history. The IFC is providing financing for the mining project, committing a total of $700 million across a $300 million loan and a $400 million subordinated loan.
Aurangzeb also held discussions with Islamic Development Bank President Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Al-Jasser, reviewing Pakistan’s project portfolio, including financing for two sections of the M-6 motorway and cooperation on oil facilities and polio eradication programs. Both sides agreed to develop a new Country Engagement Framework to guide future collaboration.
