World Bank’s $20B Investment to Spur Pakistan’s Growth: PM
— February 17, 2025
ISLAMABAD (AIA) Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the World Bank’s $20 billion investment in health, education, youth development, and other social sector projects will open new avenues for Pakistan’s progress.
He made these remarks while speaking to a delegation of World Bank Executive Directors that called on him in Islamabad on Monday.
Welcoming the delegation, the prime minister highlighted that Pakistan and the World Bank have maintained a strong partnership for over seven decades, with the bank playing a key role in the country’s development. He noted that several major national projects have been executed with the World Bank’s support.
Shehbaz Sharif acknowledged the significant assistance provided by the World Bank during the 2022 floods, which helped Pakistan recover from the devastation. He expressed gratitude for the bank’s continued trust in the government’s policies and economic reforms.
The prime minister informed the delegation that Pakistan’s institutional and economic reform programme is progressing rapidly, with the economy moving in the right direction. However, he acknowledged that sustained economic development remains a long-term goal.
He pointed out that exports and remittances are rising, while investment in the manufacturing sector has increased due to a reduction in the policy rate. The government, he said, is committed to ensuring transparency, reducing corruption, and digitising the Federal Board of Revenue through ongoing reforms.
Shehbaz Sharif also emphasised that the government is working to reduce losses and ensure uninterrupted electricity supply through power sector reforms. He highlighted that Pakistan has created an attractive investment environment under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), which brings together all stakeholders in a unique collaborative framework. He stressed that the government prioritises investment and partnerships ove