Islamabad: In a strategic meeting aimed at reinforcing Pakistan’s economic future, Mr. Ahad Cheema, the Minister for Economic Affairs of Pakistan, and Mr. Martin Raiser, the World Bank Vice President for South Asia, pledged their support for the implementation of the newly launched Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for FY26-35. The framework, with a commitment of $20 billion over the next decade, is designed to address Pakistan’s critical economic challenges through a focus on six key areas.

According to a statement by Press Information Department, the CPF is seen as a cornerstone in the partnership between Pakistan and the World Bank. Mr. Cheema underscored the CPF’s alignment with Pakistan’s broader economic strategy, including the “Uraan Pakistan: Homegrown National Economic Transformation Plan.” He emphasized the necessity for swift execution and concrete actions to realize the framework’s objectives.

Mr. Raiser reaffirmed the World Bank’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s development agenda. He expressed confidence in the CPF’s potential to deliver substantial improvements and assured that the World Bank would provide necessary technical, financial, and advisory support.

Both leaders addressed challenges such as land acquisition and project delays, highlighting the importance of effective coordination and streamlined processes. Mr. Cheema called for increased concessional resources under the IDA-21 framework to support climate change initiatives and debt management.

The dialogue concluded with both sides expressing their dedication to strengthening the partnership and achieving tangible outcomes that would set a positive precedent for the region.