WASHINGTON: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has called on the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to align its efforts with Pakistan’s infrastructure and strategic development priorities. Aurangzeb made these remarks during a meeting with Zou Jiayi, President of AIIB, in Washington D.C., acknowledging the bank’s ongoing engagement in the country, which encompasses a portfolio of approximately $1.7 billion, with an additional $1 billion in the pipeline.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Finance Minister also engaged with representatives from S&P Global Ratings, highlighting Pakistan’s consistent fulfillment of its external obligations, including the recent repayment of $1.4 billion on its Eurobond. Aurangzeb noted the financial support from Saudi Arabia as a factor in strengthening Pakistan’s external financial position and expressed optimism that the country’s improved macroeconomic fundamentals and reform efforts would lead to a rating upgrade.

In a separate meeting with Deputy Secretary Francis Brooke at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Aurangzeb outlined key investment opportunities in Pakistan’s minerals and energy sectors. He also updated U.S. Treasury officials on the progress and future prospects in the regulation of digital and virtual assets in Pakistan.