WASHINGTON:

Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Ahad Khan Cheema, held high-level meetings with World Bank leadership in Washington, marking a major step in advancing the country’s development partnership with the global financial institution.

In meetings with Anna Bjerde, Managing Director for Operations, and Martin Raiser, South Asia Regional Vice President, Cheema praised the strengthened collaboration between Pakistan and the World Bank over the past year. This partnership has culminated in the development of the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) 2026-2035 — a ten-year strategy backed by a $40 billion commitment from the World Bank.

Cheema thanked the World Bank for its continued support, particularly during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 floods. “As our largest development partner, the World Bank has played an indispensable role in Pakistan’s socio-economic progress and improving the lives of our citizens,” he stated, while appreciating the leadership of Bjerde and Raiser.