Key Points
- Finance Minister, World Bank Country Director review progress under $20bn Country Partnership Framework (CPF)
- The programme spans 2025–2035, focuses on climate resilience, population, agriculture and energy reforms
- International Finance Corporation (IFC) to mobilise an additional $20bn for private sector investment
- Stronger federal–provincial coordination is identified as critical for implementation
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the World Bank have accelerated the implementation of a $20 billion, 10-year Country Partnership Framework through 2035, with a focus on climate, energy, agriculture, and human capital reforms.
The CPF is the World Bank Group’s central strategy document. It defines financial and technical support for a member country over several years.
For Pakistan, the $20 billion commitment is one of the largest long-term development engagements in recent decades. It reflects renewed cooperation as the country works to stabilise its economy and accelerate growth.
Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb met World Bank Country Director Bolormaa Amgaabazar and discussed how to expedite the implementation of the Framework, which began this financial year in July 2025. Priority areas include population management, human capital, climate resilience, and reforms in the agricultural and energy sectors.
Human capital refers to investment in health, education and skills. These areas improve productivity and long-term growth.
Pakistan has worked with the World Bank since 1950. Cumulative commitments exceed $40 billion. Support has covered infrastructure, social protection, energy and governance reforms.
The new CPF builds on this history. It places stronger emphasis on climate adaptation, structural reform and private-sector-led growth. Pakistan remains vulnerable to external shocks and climate-related disasters.
A key feature of the programme is the mobilisation of private sector investment through the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The IFC is the commercial lending arm of the World Bank Group. It is expected to catalyse an additional $20 billion for Pakistan’s private sector over the same ten-year period.
This could double the overall scale of financial flows linked to the CPF.
Officials emphasised the need for strong coordination between federal and provincial governments. Under Pakistan’s constitutional structure, provinces manage sectors such as health, education and agriculture.
Federal ministries must stay engaged in planning and oversight, officials quoted the finance minister as saying during the meeting. He emphasised monitoring and national alignment of reforms.
Agriculture reform was a major focus. Discussions covered productivity, value chains, access to finance and private sector participation. Agriculture employs a major portion of the workforce and supports food security and exports.
Energy sector sustainability was also reviewed. The talks at the Finance Ministry examined financial viability and long-term reforms. Pakistan’s energy system faces transmission losses, circular debt and tariff distortions. These pressures affect public finances and investor confidence.
Both sides agreed to continue technical-level engagement. They aim to improve project design, transparency and monitoring.
The World Bank reaffirmed support for economic stabilisation, climate resilience and human capital development.
The meeting ended with a commitment to deliver measurable results. The CPF is intended to support climate-resilient infrastructure and stronger social services over the next decade.
