Finance Minister holds high-level meetings on economic reforms, climate finance and development cooperation in Bangkok

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb held a series of meetings and participated in key ministerial engagements on the sidelines of the Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Bangkok, Thailand. The engagements focused on Pakistan’s macroeconomic stabilization, structural reforms, investment opportunities, climate finance, development financing and international cooperation on debt management.

In a meeting with Mr. Dan Katz, First Deputy Managing Director of the IMF, the Finance Minister discussed Pakistan’s macroeconomic stabilization, progress under the IMF-supported programme and ongoing structural reforms. Both sides welcomed the staff-level agreement and acknowledged improvements in fiscal performance, foreign exchange reserves, inflation and external sector stability. Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb highlighted improved investor confidence, sovereign credit rating upgrades and renewed access to international capital markets. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to fiscal discipline, tax reforms, privatization and sustainable economic growth. Discussions also covered the impact of the Middle East conflict on energy prices and inflation, including targeted relief for vulnerable households within fiscal constraints.

Additionally, participating in the 17th V20 Ministerial Dialogue, the Finance Minister appreciated the V20’s support in developing Pakistan’s Climate Prosperity Plan and identifying bankable projects to attract climate finance. He emphasized fiscal responsibility and the need to strengthen domestic and external buffers against climate challenges and geopolitical shocks. Highlighting opportunities to mobilize green investment, he referred to Pakistan’s inaugural green Panda bond. Welcoming the proposed fund initiative, he stressed collective ownership, accountability and effective implementation, cautioning against initiatives remaining unimplemented in light of the experience of the Loss and Damage Fund. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for advancing the V20’s climate finance agenda.

The Finance Minister also accepted the chairmanship of the Governing Council of the Borrowers’ Platform on behalf of Pakistan, acknowledging Egypt’s leadership and the contributions of member countries and the Secretariat in operationalizing the Platform. He emphasized that the Platform should promote mutual learning and technical cooperation rather than serve as a collective bargaining or crisis-management mechanism. Outlining Pakistan’s priorities under the 2026–27 work plan, he highlighted strengthening debt-management practices, sharing reform experiences and exploring innovative development-financing instruments. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to practical implementation and measurable results, stressing that debt should remain an instrument for development rather than a constraint on it. In his concluding remarks, he welcomed progress in establishing the Platform’s institutional foundations, governance arrangements and shared work programme, as well as growing interest from prospective member countries. He also addressed a press conference following the session.

Later, in a meeting with Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the Finance Minister discussed Pakistan’s economic priorities and opportunities for cooperation. He outlined progress in macroeconomic stabilization and emphasized preserving these gains through structural reforms and sustainable, export-led growth. Identifying climate change and rapid population growth as major challenges, he sought technical support for disaster preparedness, early-warning systems and the development of bankable climate projects. Discussions also covered digital skills and employment, sustainable finance, energy transition and potential technical assistance for the State Bank of Pakistan. He emphasized practical cooperation that translates policy analysis into actionable measures and measurable results.

Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb also met with Dr. Mohammad Hashem Botshekan, President of the ECO Trade and Development Bank (ETDB).

On the sidelines of these engagements, Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb also interacted with international media including Reuters, Bloomberg and Nikkei Asia, outlining Pakistan’s economic progress, the IMF-supported programme, investment opportunities and efforts to attract foreign investment. He highlighted the Government’s privatization agenda and ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening economic fundamentals and encouraging greater private-sector participation.

In addition to these engagements, Finance Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Revenue, Mr. Imdad Ullah Bosal, along with his team, held a meeting with a Citibank delegation on the sidelines of the World Bank Group and IMF Annual Meetings 2026 in Bangkok. The meeting reviewed financing options in local and foreign currencies, with discussions focusing on diversifying financing sources, broadening access to capital and exploring suitable financing structures in line with the Government’s debt management and financing strategy.