ISLAMABAD: World Bank Vice President for South Asia, Martin Raiser, concluded a five-day visit to Pakistan, marking the launch of a new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for the fiscal years 2026 to 2035. The framework aims to guide collaboration between the World Bank Group and Pakistan over the next decade.

According to a statement by World Bank, the CPF aligns with Pakistan’s National Economic Transformative Plan, known as Uraan Pakistan, and sets six strategic outcomes with specific targets for the next ten years. Martin Raiser and Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, jointly announced the framework during Raiser’s visit.

Throughout his stay, Raiser met with several key members of Pakistan’s government, including the Prime Minister, to discuss ongoing reforms and the framework’s implementation. He acknowledged progress in Pakistan’s economic stabilization and emphasized the necessity of policy reforms and actions for sustained growth.

Raiser highlighted the need for private sector investment alongside the World Bank’s support to meet the framework’s goals. He emphasized enhancing the business climate and the importance of federal and provincial cooperation to mobilize resources and improve government spending efficiency.

During his visit, Raiser also engaged with Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and other senior officials, as well as provincial leaders like Punjab’s Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister, Ali Amin Gandapur, to discuss regional implementation strategies.