ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif was met by World Bank Regional Vice President for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAAP) Mr. Ousmane Dione in Islamabad today.
The Prime Minister expressed his sincere gratitude to the World Bank for its long-standing partnership with Pakistan. He particularly thanked World Bank President Mr. Ajay Banga and former World Bank Country Director for Pakistan Mr Najy Benhassine, for their important role in advancing the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Pakistan.
The Prime Minister appreciated the strategic role of the CPF in addressing Pakistan’s development priorities, especially in the areas of energy, human resources, climate change and governance reforms.The Prime Minister appreciated the World Bank’s principled support for Pakistan’s legitimate position in light of India’s unilateral and illegal actions to undermine important international agreements like the Indus Waters Treaty.
He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to uphold international law, achieve prosperity and maintain regional peace, and expressed Pakistan’s resolve to resolve all issues through dialogue. The Prime Minister thanked the World Bank for its timely and generous assistance during the devastating floods of 2022, which helped Pakistan to launch immediate relief activities and initiate reconstruction and rehabilitation measures.
Vice President Ousmane Dione thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his warm hospitality during his visit to Pakistan. He reiterated the World Bank’s commitment to further deepen and expand Pakistan’s long-standing partnership and cooperation in key sectors of the economy.
He praised Pakistan’s ongoing macroeconomic recovery and commended the Prime Minister’s government for leading the country towards fiscal stability and sustainable growth. He particularly praised the reform agenda of the current administration, citing the strong leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as instrumental in advancing institutional reforms, restoring investor confidence, and promoting inclusive economic growth.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment by the Government of Pakistan and the World Bank to further strengthen cooperation between the two in the years to come, to achieve long-term development goals and build a prosperous future for the people of Pakistan.
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