February 8, 2026 – Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Sunday held a high-level meeting with Ms. Anna Bjerde, Managing Director of the World Bank Group, to review progress under Pakistan’s Country Partnership Framework (CPF).
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Annual AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies, currently underway in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
During the discussion, both sides followed up on the recent visit of the World Bank President to Pakistan and assessed developments under the ongoing CPF. They also explored ways to further strengthen development cooperation, focusing on improving implementation and accelerating reform momentum.
Key priority sectors discussed included energy, education, health, climate resilience, fiscal reforms, infrastructure development, and innovative financing tools such as debt-for-development swaps. The two leaders emphasized adopting a more focused strategy, introducing clear performance indicators, and ensuring robust monitoring mechanisms to translate commitments into measurable outcomes.
Ms. Anna Bjerde reaffirmed the World Bank Group’s strong commitment to Pakistan’s ten-year development program, valued at $20 billion, and underscored the institution’s continued support for the country’s reform and development agenda. She stressed the importance of sustained engagement and effective execution to maximize the long-term developmental impact of the program.
Senator Aurangzeb reiterated the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to close collaboration with the World Bank Group, assuring full cooperation through relevant federal ministries. He also highlighted the critical role of provincial governments in ensuring better coordination, timely implementation, and delivery of tangible results.
The AlUla Conference, launched in 2025, brings together global policymakers and financial leaders to address key economic challenges and opportunities facing emerging market economies.