Bangkok: Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Mr. Ahad Khan Cheema, engaged in discussions with Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Mr. Masato Kanda regarding Pakistan’s development agenda during the 2026 Annual Meetings in Bangkok. The dialogue centered around enhancing cooperation under the newly approved ADB Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for 2026-2030.

According to Press Information Department, Mr. Cheema congratulated Mr. Kanda on his re-election and acknowledged ADB’s long-standing collaboration with Pakistan. The Minister emphasized the need for private sector-led growth, urging an increase in ADB’s non-sovereign operations within Pakistan. He advocated for a more robust ADB presence to aid investment transactions and foster public-private partnerships. The delegation underscored the significance of affordable development financing and flexibility in ADB’s lending framework.

Mr. Cheema highlighted ADB’s pivotal role in the ML-1 Railway Upgradation Project, a strategic initiative aimed at modernizing Pakistan’s railway infrastructure. He stressed the necessity for an expedited feasibility study and the initiation of the procurement process for this key project. In response, Mr. Kanda reassured ADB’s commitment to facilitating the ML-1 project’s progress.

Both parties reiterated their dedication to strengthening the partnership and advancing mutual development objectives. They pledged to collaborate closely to accelerate project implementation and achieve sustainable development outcomes for Pakistan.