Washington: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, engaged in a strategic dialogue with Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, CEO of the OPEC Fund for International Development, alongside the World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings 2026. The meeting focused on expanding development financing cooperation between Pakistan and the OPEC Fund.

According to Press Information Department, the Finance Minister acknowledged the OPEC Fund’s active involvement in Pakistan and recognized the country’s solid borrowing history. He expressed interest in maximizing the use of the Fund’s financing options, which include sovereign lending, private sector financing, and Islamic finance instruments. Senator Aurangzeb emphasized the importance of deepening the Fund’s engagement with Pakistan’s private sector and explored the possibility of policy-based budget support operations.

The Minister highlighted the critical need for water infrastructure projects, citing their national security significance in the current regional scenario. He pointed out the alignment of the OPEC Fund’s thematic priorities—climate action, food security, and digital transformation—with Pakistan’s development goals.

Senator Aurangzeb invited Dr. Alkhalifa to visit Pakistan to further bilateral cooperation and expressed gratitude for the invitation to attend an OPEC Fund event in Vienna. The meeting underscored the ongoing collaboration and mutual interests shared by Pakistan and the OPEC Fund.