Pakistan and the World Bank have agreed to accelerate their Country Partnership Framework for 2026-2035, prioritising better-prepared projects and efficient financing. The discussions focused on turning development commitments into measurable improvements in people’s lives.
Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema met World Bank Managing Director of Operations Anna Bjerde in Bangkok on October 15. Cheema, also Pakistan’s governor to the World Bank Group, held the talks during the World Bank-IMF Annual Meetings.
He sought stronger technical and financial support, programmes spanning multiple sectors and digital monitoring systems to track progress and assess results.
Better project preparation and responsible borrowing
Cheema called for dedicated Project Readiness Facilities to improve preparation before projects move towards approval and execution. He also stressed predictable financing and stronger implementation support to speed up delivery.
The minister highlighted the prime minister’s government-wide initiative to address persistent obstacles in project planning and implementation. He urged both sides to improve operational effectiveness, strengthen institutional capacity and maintain a shared focus on timely delivery.
Cheema said Pakistan must use concessional resources efficiently to maximise development benefits while safeguarding debt sustainability.
The discussions covered human development, climate resilience, water and sanitation, alongside investments that could support wider economic transformation. He particularly emphasised sectors with strong job-creation potential to expand employment and promote inclusive growth.
Bjerde reaffirmed the World Bank’s support for Pakistan’s priority sectors. She also committed to working with the government on operational efficiency and faster project implementation.
Railway corridor and minerals sector discussed
Cheema sought enhanced support for the ML-1 Railway Upgradation Project and outlined the vision for an Economic Railway Corridor.
The proposed corridor would run along the approximately 1,800-kilometre railway line, strengthening connectivity and opening economic opportunities.
He also discussed the proposed Minerals Compact, which aims to advance Pakistan’s minerals sector. The meeting account outlined these areas for cooperation without announcing a new financing approval or specifying funding amounts.
Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation under the framework. Their stated objective was to ensure that development financing delivers timely, sustainable and measurable benefits for Pakistan’s population.
A decade-long framework with six priorities
The World Bank Group announced the partnership framework in January 2025. It focuses on six outcomes: reducing child stunting, improving foundational learning, strengthening climate resilience, cleaner energy, better public finances and productive private investment.
Its human development agenda links nutrition with clean water, sanitation and basic health services. Climate priorities include protection against floods and stronger food security.
The framework also supports social safety nets, financial inclusion, and digital and transport connectivity. The World Bank says private investment and coordination with other development partners will help achieve these goals.
A performance and learning review in fiscal year 2030 will assess progress. The framework favours larger, sustained investments in selected priorities over scattered, short-term interventions, making consistent implementation central to its success.
