Islamabad: Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb met with IMF Director Jihad Azour, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to its reform agenda during his official visit to Washington D.C.
On the first day of his visit to the United States, the Minister attended a series of high-level meetings on the sidelines of the IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings.
According to the Ministry of Finance, Aurangzeb and his delegation held a detailed meeting with Jihad Azour, Director of the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia Department, and his team. Both sides discussed Pakistan’s reform agenda and reiterated their determination to continue the reform process. Progress on the second review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the importance of macroeconomic stability were also discussed.
While attending the Commonwealth Finance Ministers’ Meeting, Aurangzeb emphasized the need for practical steps to build sustainable and resilient partnerships. He supported the establishment of the Infrastructure and Financial Resilience Hub and the Technical Assistance Fund, aimed at enhancing the capacity of developing countries.
The Finance Minister also underscored the need for global climate finance efforts, describing climate change as an “existential threat” to Pakistan, citing the recent devastating floods as a clear example. In his meeting with Axel van Trotsenburg, Senior Managing Director of the World Bank Group, he expressed gratitude for the Bank’s support of Pakistan’s development agenda.
During a meeting with members of the U.S.-Pakistan Business Council, Aurangzeb highlighted Pakistan’s improved economic indicators, the promotion of the private sector, and the importance of U.S. investment in trade and industry. He expressed hope for enhanced bilateral cooperation in mining, agriculture, IT, and pharmaceuticals.
In discussions with Robert Kaproth and Jonathan Greenstein from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, both sides reviewed Pakistan’s economic fundamentals and progress under the IMF program. Aurangzeb also mentioned recent legislation on virtual asset regulation and trade agreements.
Meeting with Ricardo Puliti, Regional Vice President of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), both parties agreed to expedite the financial closure of the Reko Diq project and welcomed the establishment of IFC’s new regional office in Islamabad.
In his talks with Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), they agreed to continue cooperation on ongoing development projects, financing for the M-6 Motorway, and polio eradication efforts.
During his visit, the Finance Minister also attended meetings with Citibank, international media organizations (Associated Press and Reuters), and a dinner hosted by Pakistan’s Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh. In his meeting with Citibank, discussions focused on investment opportunities in Pakistan’s digital and financial sectors.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the Finance Minister’s engagements in Washington reflect Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening relations with global financial institutions and development partners, and to putting the economy on a path of sustainable and inclusive growth.
