World Bank president Ajay Banga lands in Pakistan

World Bank (WB) President Ajay Banga has arrived in Pakistan today on an important visit aimed at strengthening the partnership with Pakistan, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Sunday.

According to details, World Bank President Banga is scheduled to remain in the country until February 4, 2026, and will hold meetings with senior government officials. Discussions are expected to include the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Finance Minister, and other prominent govt officials.

Later, World Bank President Ajay Banga, along with his delegation, visited Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib in Hassanabdal.

On arrival, Ajay Banga was warmly welcomed by Minority Affairs Minister Amrish Singh Arora, along with local officials, including the DPO and Deputy Commissioner.

 At the Gurdwara, he participated in traditional religious rituals, demonstrating respect for Sikh heritage and Pakistan’s diverse cultural fabric.

Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb also accompanied WB President during this trip.

The Aashk community honored Banga by presenting him with a sarupa, a ceremonial mark of reverence. Security measures were noticeably tight throughout the visit to ensure the safety of the distinguished guests.

Following the spiritual visit, the delegation proceeded to the Taxila Museum to explore Pakistan’s rich archaeological heritage.

Banga’s visit underscores the World Bank’s commitment to engaging with Pakistan on cultural, economic, and social initiatives while fostering interfaith dialogue.

During the visit, talks will focus on economic reforms, water disputes, and other significant issues. President Banga will also be briefed on the priorities for economic reforms and development projects.
Sources indicate that notable progress is expected in implementing the 10-year Country Partnership Framework, under which the World Bank will provide Pakistan with $20 billion by 2035.
Last year in December, the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved $700 million in financing for the Pakistan Public Resources for Inclusive Development – Multiphase Programmatic Approach (PRID-MPA).
PRID-MPA is a multi-year, multi-program initiative aimed at supporting macroeconomic stability and improving service delivery in the country.
According to the World Bank, the PRID-MPA is an innovative national program designed to support federal and provincial reforms to mobilize domestic revenue, enhance the quality of public spending, and leverage data and digital tools to improve service delivery.
The program is intended to support ongoing fiscal reforms aligned with the IMF Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the National Fiscal Pact, and will provide up to $1.35 billion in total financing over multiple phases.
Reporter: Waqas Azeem