WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has said that the country is expected to achieve economic growth of around 4 percent during the current fiscal year.
Speaking on Mornings with Maria on Fox Business Network at the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings 2026 in Washington, DC, he also highlighted Pakistan’s active diplomatic engagement aimed at sustaining the ceasefire and paving the way for further negotiations between the United States and Iran.
Aurangzeb noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is undertaking intensive regional outreach, along with continued coordination on diplomatic efforts.
He stressed that these initiatives reflect Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting both regional and global stability.
The interview followed host Maria Bartiromo’s recent conversation with US President Donald Trump, in which he commended Pakistan’s leadership for its role in facilitating dialogue between Washington and Tehran.
Opening the segment with a clip from that discussion, Bartiromo referred to Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic engagement and invited the finance minister to share his perspective.
On the economic front, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb discussed the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, noting that Pakistan is currently dealing with its immediate effects, particularly in areas such as energy procurement, pricing, and logistics.
He said the government’s primary focus has been on ensuring continuity in supply chains, while the scale of secondary and longer-term impacts on inflation, growth, and the external sector will depend on how prolonged and intense the conflict becomes.
Highlighting the country’s economic position, Aurangzeb said Pakistan’s macroeconomic indicators remain stable, supported by improved fiscal management and stronger external buffers.
He noted that remittances have stayed robust, reaching approximately $3.8 billion last month, while the country has also recorded a current account surplus.
He expressed confidence that Pakistan would achieve around four per cent economic growth during the current fiscal year and meet its key fiscal and external targets, including maintaining foreign exchange reserves at a level sufficient to cover around three months of imports.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline, the finance minister said Pakistan has successfully repaid its $1.4 billion Eurobond on time.
He also acknowledged the timely financial support provided by Saudi Arabia, including $3 billion in additional deposits and the extension of existing ones, which he said would further strengthen Pakistan’s external financial position.
The Finance Minister also outlined Pakistan’s forward-looking financing strategy, including plans to access international capital markets.
He added that the government is preparing for its inaugural Panda Bond issuance, alongside exploring Eurobond and other commercial financing avenues to diversify funding sources and sustain investor confidence.
