Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday presented Pakistan’s economic outlook and detailed his government’s reform agenda to a delegation from the World Bank (WB), highlighting ongoing efforts to restructure key sectors and promote fiscal discipline.
The minister outlined structural reforms aimed at improving revenue mobilisation, implementing energy sector reforms, restructuring state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and advancing privatisation.
“The government has no business to be in the business. We are committed to ensuring a business-friendly environment where the private sector takes the lead in driving economic growth,” Aurangzeb stated, emphasising the importance of fiscal discipline through expenditure control and broadening the tax base.
During the meeting, Aurangzeb thanked the World Bank for its ongoing support, particularly for the launch of the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) 2026-35, which commits an unprecedented $20 billion to support Pakistan’s development priorities.
The WB delegation praised the government’s reform agenda, noting that Pakistan’s efforts were yielding positive results. According to the Finance Ministry, the delegation stated:
“Your [incumbent] government has been successful in touching every important aspect of the economy, and things seem to be achievable now if you stay the course.”
They also highlighted that Pakistan’s structural reforms were critical for long-term economic stability and sustainable growth, reaffirming their commitment to supporting Pakistan through technical expertise and priority sectors.
The discussions concluded with the proposal for a structured framework for development partners, aiming to ensure better coordination and maximise impact. Aurangzeb emphasised the need for technical support, stating:
“We have enough financial support and assistance; what we truly need now is the expertise and technical support to make the most of them.”