World Bank urges policy continuity in Pakistan to boost investment

May 25, 2025 (MLN): There is a need for continuity in implementation to sustain economic stability and to elicit a stronger investment and growth response by the private sector in Pakistan.

This was stressed by the World Bank Managing Director for Operations, Anna Bjerde during a two-day visit to Pakistan where coordination for economic reforms between Pakistan and the World Bank was emphasized.

Bjerde met with Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and expressed her appreciation for the collaboration on the new 10-year World Bank Group Country Partnership Framework with Pakistan.

They also discussed the need for coordinated reforms at the federal and provincial levels to ensure sustained and inclusive growth, as per the press release issued.

The discussions focused on implementing the Country Partnership Framework to address the country's most critical socio-economic challenges.

Key areas included human capital development, particularly for women and girls, access to water and sanitation, climate resilience, and natural disaster risk reduction.

The discussions also emphasized strengthening the foundations for private-led growth and job creation.

"Pakistan’s path to sustainable economic recovery and poverty alleviation rests on comprehensive reforms that prioritize human capital, macroeconomic stability, climate resilience, sustainable energy, and private sector growth,” said Bjerde.

“During my visit, we discussed the next steps on the reform agenda of the government, especially in the fiscal, digital, and energy sectors,” she added.

“We also talked about the country’s potential for private-led growth and entrepreneurship, particularly to create quality jobs for women and youth", she further noted.

Bjerde had the opportunity to visit the World Bank-supported project sites in Shaheed Benazirabad District in Sindh, where she was accompanied by Chief Minister Sindh, Murad Ali Shah, and Sindh Minister of Health, Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho.

She and the World Bank delegation were hosted by First Lady of Pakistan and Member of National Assembly, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari.

The visit included meetings with beneficiaries and staff of the 2022 Sindh Flood Emergency Housing Reconstruction Project.

It also featured an exchange with the medical staff and female patients of a Basic Health Unit supported by the National Health Support Program.

While in Sindh, Bjerde exchanged with Chief Minister Shah and members of his Cabinet on ongoing and planned projects to support the development of the province.

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