KEY POINTS
- Ajay Banga traces family roots to Khushab’s Gali Sikh Wali, where his father spent childhood.
- Locals prepare dhoda sweets and sacred soil to welcome Ajay Banga on Feb 3.
- Gurdwara Guru Singh Sabha in Khushab hosts world peace prayers.
ISLAMABAD: World Bank President Ajay Pal Singh Banga is scheduled to visit his ancestral village in Pakistan’s Khushab district on February 3, marking a rare personal homecoming during his four-day official visit focused on economic reforms, climate resilience, and development financing.
Accompanied by family and top officials, Banga’s journey highlights Pakistan’s religious tolerance while tracing his family’s Punjab origins.
Honored to welcome @WorldBank President Ajay Banga to Gurdwara Panja Sahib
After performing Matha Tek and joining the community for Langar, we discussed the dedicated efforts of the Pakistan Govt & Punjab CM in supporting our minority communities and preserving our heritage. pic.twitter.com/Lsd7vqdaJG— Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora (@SardarArora) February 1, 2026
Ajay Banga started his four-day trip to Pakistan from January 31 to February 4, 2026, focusing on key talks with national leaders about economic improvements, funding for growth, climate-proof projects, and water disputes tied to the Indus Waters Treaty.
Hasan Abdal’s sacred Panja Sahib
Banga began his visit at Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, Attock, one of Sikhism’s holiest shrines, where he performed parikrama, offered prayers, and shared langar with devotees.
#JUSTIN : Ajay Banga, President of the @worldbankgroup , along with his family, was pictured at Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal after paying obeisance at one of Sikhism’s holiest shrines associated with Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
During his visit to Pakistan, he is also scheduled… pic.twitter.com/mLHcPD89RH— Ravinder Singh Robin (@rsrobin1) February 1, 2026
Pakistan’s Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Punjab Minority Affairs Minister Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora greeted him in Hasan Abdal.
Declining to speak inside the gurdwara, Banga humbly noted his father taught him only the Granthi Sahib addresses the sangat, earning praise for his respect toward Sikh traditions.
Haripur’s ancient julian stupa
Banga visited the historic Julian Buddhist Monastery in Haripur, praising its pristine condition.
He emphasised how cultural preservation and tourism could drive jobs and sustainable growth in Pakistan.
Hosted HE President World Bank Mr Ajay Banga and his wife Mrs. Anita Banga at Texila Museum Rawalpindi on behalf of Government of Punjab. Federal Finance Minister Mr Muhammad Aurangzeb, Secretary Tourism and Archaeology Punjab Suqrat Aman Rana and DG Archaeology Punjab was also… pic.twitter.com/jSUWWQYm1E
— Mian Zeeshan Rafique (@RafiqueZeeshan) February 1, 2026
The visit reinforced calls for global partnerships to protect Pakistan’s heritage and boost religious tourism.
Tomorrow: Khushab ancestral homecoming
On February 3, Banga heads to Khushab to visit his family’s roots in Gali Sikh Wali, where his father, Lieutenant General Harbhajan Singh Banga, spent his childhood.
The World Bank president will pay respects at the nearby restored Gurdwara Guru Singh Sabha and receive traditional dhoda sweets and soil from locals welcoming their ‘son of the soil.’
A special helipad awaits at Railway Ground, with Commissioner Dr. Jehanzaib Hussain Laber and DPO Dr. Amara Shirazi overseeing high-alert security across routes and sites.
Historic restoration efforts
Authorities rushed renovations on Banga’s ancestral home and the gurdwara to original splendor, signaling Punjab’s shared heritage revival.
Prayers for world peace will he held in the historic gurdwara, underscoring goodwill amid the World Bank’s $20 billion decade-long aid pledge for Pakistan’s nutrition, education, and green energy.
Core goals amid economic strain
The journey seeks to deepen World Bank-Pakistan ties as the nation grapples with financial woes and climate threats.
Agenda items include budget fixes, aid programs, and enduring plans for water resources.
Ajay Pal Singh Banga, President of the World Bank Group, visited Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasanabdal during his visit to Pakistan. He will also visit his ancestral village in Khushab on the third of February. pic.twitter.com/xd1lsy8S1U
— Fidato (@tequieremos) February 2, 2026
Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) officials said that Banga will stop by his family’s old home in Khushab on February 3 and all setup work at the spot is now finished, ready for his appearance.
Ancestral site’s revamp
ETPB staff noted that the property once served as a public high school and now sits empty after recent fixes to boost its state.
Found in Khushab’s ‘Gali Sikh Wali’ area, the upgrades honour its past while prepping for any drop-in.
