Islamabad (TDI): In the wake of the successful launch of Pakistan’s new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for FY26-35, a meeting was held between Ahad Cheema, the Minister for Economic Affairs of Pakistan, and Martin Raiser, the World Bank Vice President for South Asia.
The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to discuss in detail the framework’s next steps, its implementation, and the vital role of collaboration in achieving Pakistan’s long-term development objectives.
Cheema reiterated that the new CPF, with an unprecedented $20 billion commitment over the upcoming decade, is not only a reflection of the strong partnership between Pakistan and the World Bank but also a major tool in addressing the country’s pressing economic challenges.
With a focus on 6 transformative outcomes—improving education quality, tackling child stunting, enhancing energy efficiency, fostering inclusive development, boosting climate resilience, and increasing private investment—the CPF is designed to be a comprehensive roadmap for Pakistan’s development.
During the meeting, Cheema stressed the importance of swift and effective execution, emphasizing that the partnership between Pakistan and the World Bank must be supported by concrete actions.
He highlighted the government’s vision for the implementation of the CPF, which is aligned with Pakistan’s broader economic strategy, including the “Uraan Pakistan: Homegrown National Economic Transformation Plan.”
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Raiser, in his remarks, underscored the World Bank’s continued commitment to supporting Pakistan’s development agenda.
He expressed his confidence in the CPF’s ability to bring about lasting improvements and assured Cheema that the World Bank is ready to provide the required technical, financial, and advisory support to ensure the success of the framework.
He also stressed the importance of monitoring and adapting the framework’s progress to meet emerging challenges and opportunities.
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Both sides also discussed the need to address major challenges in project implementation, such as land acquisition, project start-up delays, and ensuring compliance with social safeguards.
Cheema emphasized that effective coordination between the World Bank and other development partners, as well as streamlined approval processes, would be vital to overcoming these hurdles.