Leaders Commit to Accelerated Implementation of Development Agenda
World Bank Group President Ajay Banga and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have agreed to fast-track the implementation of critical economic reforms during a high-level meeting in Islamabad. The discussions, held on February 2, 2026, centered on strengthening Pakistan’s development partnership with the international financial institution.
PM Shehbaz Highlights Homegrown Reform Agenda
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed President Banga on his first official visit to Pakistan in his current role. The premier acknowledged the World Bank’s long-standing support, which he described as instrumental for the country’s economic development. He outlined the government’s commitment to a comprehensive, homegrown structural reform program aimed at achieving sustainable economic stability.
“The government is vigorously working on an economic reform agenda with a multi-pronged comprehensive structural homegrown programme aimed at sustainable economic stability,” PM Shehbaz stated during the meeting at the PM House.
Banga Commends Reform Efforts, Promises “One World Bank” Approach
World Bank President Ajay Banga commended the Pakistani government’s ongoing reform efforts. He reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to deepening cooperation through a unified “One World Bank Group” approach to maximize impact.
Banga emphasized that meeting the ambition of the government’s agenda would require greater leverage of private resources alongside strong coordination with development partners. He also praised PM Shehbaz’s leadership in addressing implementation bottlenecks in development projects.
Focus on Key Sectors and Fast-Track Delivery
The discussions highlighted several priority areas for collaboration under the existing 10-year Country Partnership Framework (CPF), including:
- Resilient infrastructure development
- Agribusiness and energy sector reforms
- Digital development and human capital investment
- Fiscal reforms and private investment for job creation
Both leaders stressed the need for strong oversight and accelerated implementation to deliver tangible results at speed and scale. This alignment is expected to bolster investor confidence and unlock job-rich growth, according to the Prime Minister.
