Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Middle East and Central Asia Director Jihad Azour in Washington to discuss Pakistan’s reform agenda, according to a press release issued on Tuesday.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the IMF and the World Bank (WB), where both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to sustaining the ongoing momentum of reforms. The discussion also reviewed progress under the second review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and highlighted the importance of maintaining macroeconomic stability.
Aurangzeb’s visit to the US capital, scheduled from October 13 to 18, comes at a crucial time as Pakistan seeks to secure the next IMF tranche. The visit also offers an opportunity to strengthen engagement with development partners and global investors.
In another meeting, the finance minister held extensive discussions with World Bank Senior Managing Director Axel van Trotsenburg. He appreciated the World Bank’s support for Pakistan’s development goals and stressed the need for greater investment in climate adaptation. Referring to recent floods, he called the climate crisis an existential challenge and emphasized mobilizing more resources to deal with future disasters.
The finance minister’s engagements in Washington also included meetings with senior US officials, private investors, and representatives of international financial institutions. During talks with the US-Pakistan Business Council, he highlighted Pakistan’s improving economic indicators and the government’s commitment to facilitating business growth.
Aurangzeb also met with Robert Kaproth, US Assistant Treasury Secretary for International Finance, and other officials, where he discussed Pakistan’s reform agenda and invited American firms to invest in energy, agriculture, IT, and minerals.
Throughout his meetings, Aurangzeb reaffirmed that Pakistan’s reform agenda remains focused on economic stability, fiscal discipline, and sustainable growth. His discussions in Washington reflect Pakistan’s determination to strengthen international partnerships and transition from economic stabilization to long-term development.
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