Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb began his official visit to the United States with a full day of high-level meetings on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings. The visit reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to reform, resilience, and sustainable growth.
Meeting with the IMF on Reform Progress
Aurangzeb met Jihad Azour, Director of the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia Department, to review Pakistan’s reform agenda and progress under the Second Review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF).
Both sides agreed to maintain macroeconomic discipline and sustain the momentum of reforms.
Commonwealth Finance Ministers’ Meeting
The minister also attended the Commonwealth Finance Ministers’ Meeting, where he called for concrete actions to build a resilient and prosperous Commonwealth.
He supported the Commonwealth Infrastructure and Financial Resilience Hub and stressed the urgent need to operationalise climate finance mechanisms, including the Loss and Damage Fund, for developing nations such as Pakistan.
Engagement with the World Bank
In another engagement, Aurangzeb met Axel van Trotsenburg, Senior Managing Director of the World Bank Group, and appreciated the Bank’s ongoing support for Pakistan’s national development agenda.
Highlighting climate change as an existential challenge, he urged greater investment in adaptation, mitigation, and disaster resilience.
Strengthening Private Sector and US Ties
The minister also met the US-Pakistan Business Council (USPBC), where he highlighted improving macroeconomic indicators and emphasised the importance of private sector growth for sustaining economic momentum.
He noted the recent trade deal with US authorities and expressed optimism for deeper G2G and B2B cooperation in mining, IT, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals.
Talks with the US Treasury and Financial Institutions
Aurangzeb held discussions with Robert Kaproth, US Assistant Treasury Secretary for International Finance, and Counsellor Jonathan Greenstein, reaffirming Pakistan’s strong economic fundamentals under the IMF program.
He briefed them on new virtual asset legislation and invited US companies to invest in energy, minerals, agriculture, and IT.
He also met representatives from Citi Bank, recognising the bank’s long-term partnership and Pakistan’s emerging role as a regional hub for digital finance and innovation.
Advancing Toward Sustainable Growth
Aurangzeb’s engagements with US officials, financial leaders, and media underscore Pakistan’s strategy to strengthen international cooperation, attract foreign investment, and move from stabilisation to sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
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