ISLAMABAD; Mr. Ousmane Dione, the World Bank’s Regional Vice President for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAAP), met with Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema during his first official visit to Pakistan. The high-level engagement focused on Pakistan’s development agenda and the strategic roadmap outlined in the World Bank’s new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2026–2035.
The meeting marked a pivotal moment as Pakistan transitions into the World Bank’s newly restructured MENAAP region, effective July 1, 2025. Minister Cheema welcomed this change, noting its alignment with regional structures followed by other global institutions such as the IMF and IFC. He emphasized that the shift will improve coordination and responsiveness in development efforts.
Minister Cheema acknowledged the World Bank’s substantial commitment of 20 billion US dollars under the CPF and reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to work closely with the Bank to ensure its effective implementation. He expressed gratitude to the Bank’s leadership—including the President, Managing Director of Operations, and the Pakistan Country Office—for their continued support during challenging periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 floods.
Highlighting recent signs of economic stabilization, Cheema pointed to declining inflation, improved foreign exchange reserves, and growing investor confidence. He underscored the need for ongoing support from development partners to transform these gains into inclusive, sustainable growth.
Mr. Dione commended Pakistan’s progress on economic reforms and reiterated the World Bank’s commitment to supporting the country’s long-term development goals. He emphasized the importance of the CPF as a strategic partnership to address pressing challenges, including climate resilience, human capital development, institutional strengthening, clean energy transition, and enhanced public resource mobilization.
Both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to a robust and forward-looking development partnership. Minister Cheema voiced optimism that collaboration with the World Bank would deepen under Mr. Dione’s leadership, accelerating progress in key development sectors and improving the lives of the Pakistani people.
