Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Mohammad Aurangzeb, met yesterday with a high-level delegation from Citi Bank at the Ministry of Finance, where they held detailed discussions on potential cooperation between the Government of Pakistan and Citi Bank, as well as autonomous financial solutions.
According to sources, the meeting also included a team from the Ministry of Finance responsible for overseeing debt management, capital markets, and related policy matters. The ministry team presented an overall review of the current global and regional market situation and Pakistan’s external financial landscape. During the discussion, they highlighted the recent performance of Pakistan’s international bonds and the government’s strategy for securing external financing. The discussion emphasized pricing, market timing, and ensuring that any future financial transactions align with national goals regarding debt sustainability and cost.
Sources said the Ministry of Finance also briefed the Citi Bank delegation on ongoing work related to autonomous funding programs, including the preparation of medium-term note frameworks. Immediate attention is focused on finalizing priority financial matters, while approaching the market will be done at an appropriate time and favorable pricing. The strategy for engaging investors was also discussed, with an emphasis on prioritizing active investments over passive funds. Referring to recent positive portfolio investment, it was noted that maintaining continuous and targeted engagement with institutional investors is a government priority.
The meeting also explored how Citi Bank’s global expertise could be more effectively utilized in structured programs, documentation frameworks, and market infrastructure. The importance of completing fundamental legal and documentation frameworks before undertaking complex financial transactions was stressed. The Finance Minister said that sustained, high-level engagement with international financial institutions is vital for understanding the evolving economic context of Pakistan and building confidence.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties agreed to maintain close contact and explore further opportunities for collaboration.
