World Bank reaffirms $20bn development program for Pakistan

February 08, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan’s development partnership with the World Bank moved forward as progress under the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) was reviewed.

The Bank reaffirmed its $20 billion, ten-year development program for the country during a high-level engagement held on the sidelines of the Annual AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies in Saudi Arabia, according to the press release. 

The meeting was held between Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb and World Bank Group Managing Director Anna Bjerde, and followed up on the World Bank President’s visit to Pakistan last week.

Both sides reviewed the status of ongoing engagement under the CPF and discussed the way forward to deepen development cooperation.

Discussions covered priority areas including energy, education, health, climate resilience, infrastructure development, fiscal reforms, and debt-for-development swaps, with a focus on improving alignment between reform objectives and project execution.

The two sides stressed the need for a more focused framework supported by clear performance trackers and stronger implementation mechanisms to ensure delivery of measurable outcomes.

Anna Bjerde reiterated the World Bank Group’s commitment to Pakistan’s $20bn development program spread over ten years, noting that sustained engagement and effective execution would be essential to maximize its economic and social impact.

Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb reaffirmed the government’s commitment to close coordination with the World Bank Group and assured full cooperation through relevant federal ministries.

He also emphasized the role of provincial governments in ensuring improved coordination, timely execution, and effective delivery of results under the program.

The discussions took place during the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies, introduced in 2025.

The conference brings together finance ministers, central bank governors, senior policymakers, and leaders of international financial institutions to deliberate on key economic challenges, reform priorities, and development financing needs of emerging market economies.

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