A nine-member delegation of World Bank Executive Directors visited Pakistan in February 2025 to engage in discussions on economic development plans and the implementation of the Country Partnership Framework (CPF).

The delegation, comprising senior officials from the World Bank, engaged in extensive discussions with Pakistan’s leadership, including the prime minister, finance minister and key economic stakeholders. The primary agenda of the visit revolved around economic reforms, fiscal policies and progress under the Country Partnership Framework (CPF).

The CPF articulates the primary objectives and developmental outcomes established by the World Bank Group (WBG) to assist member countries in their endeavors to eradicate extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity on a sustainable planet. The CPF organises WBG engagement into specific objectives that are categorised within priority focus areas, thereby facilitating countries in achieving their developmental goals.

Each objective is accompanied by a comprehensive description detailing the anticipated impact of progress within that domain on poverty reduction and the enhancement of shared prosperity. The identified focus areas are: Reduction of Child Stunting, Reduction of Learning Poverty, Enhancement of Climate Resilience, Advancement of DE Carbonisation, and Promotion of More Inclusive Economic Opportunities.

The foundational framework for the CPF is collaboratively developed by the WBG, which includes the World Bank, encompassing both the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). This collective approach provides a cohesive perspective on the optimal allocation of development resources to bolster governmental efforts in achieving national objectives.

Pakistan has been struggling with economic instability in recent years, with rising inflation, fiscal deficits and declining foreign exchange reserves. The World Bank delegation sought to evaluate the effectiveness of current policies and explore avenues for future collaboration. The World Bank has........

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