Islamabad: In a recent meeting at the Finance Division, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, engaged with a World Bank delegation led by Ms. Bolormaa Amgaabazar, Country Director for the World Bank in Pakistan, to review Pakistan’s economic reform priorities and the institutional transformation agenda. The discussions centered around ongoing reform initiatives, technical assistance programs, and the Government’s economic priorities.
According to Press Information Department, the meeting highlighted the World Bank’s ongoing support in various reform areas, including public financial management, institutional capacity building, debt management, and private sector development. The Finance Minister emphasized the importance of collaboration and technical assistance in aligning with the Government’s reform objectives and enhancing institutional capacity. He stressed the development of sustainable in-house expertise and the Government’s ability to manage and implement reform initiatives independently.
The meeting also addressed reforms within the Federal Board of Revenue, focusing on automation, digitization, and technology-driven monitoring systems. The World Bank team provided updates on its support for the Medium-Term Revenue Strategy, Tax Policy Office, and FBR transformation initiatives. Discussions extended to structural reform priorities for sustainable economic growth, covering regulatory reforms, trade facilitation, and capital market development, with a focus on improving the business environment and strengthening financial sector depth.
The Finance Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment to deepening domestic debt markets, reducing reliance on bank financing, and improving access to international financial markets. Labor market reforms, vocational skills development, and workforce competitiveness were also discussed, with an emphasis on aligning skills development with market needs and leveraging existing reform work for future policy interventions.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration in advancing Pakistan’s economic reform agenda, with the World Bank delegation including key figures from various sectors.