PM Shehbaz reaffirms commitment to long-term partnership in meeting with AIIB President 

Shehbaz Sharif Monday met with Zou Jiayi, President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, during her consultative visit to Pakistan, reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to strengthening its long-term partnership with the Bank.

Welcoming the AIIB President on her first visit to Pakistan after assuming office, the Prime Minister noted that Pakistan, as a founding member of the AIIB, attaches great importance to its relationship with the institution.

He appreciated the Bank’s continued support for Pakistan’s socio-economic development and highlighted the government’s priorities for achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

The Prime Minister identified key sectors for future cooperation with AIIB, including railways, agriculture and agro-industry, regional connectivity, renewable and indigenous energy resources, and youth engagement in Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence.

He also referred to ongoing policy reforms aimed at ensuring economic stability, long-term growth, and an investment-friendly environment, adding that partnerships with leading multilateral financial institutions like the AIIB are essential to achieving these goals.

Expressing hope that the visit of the high-level AIIB delegation would further strengthen bilateral ties, the Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s desire to expand cooperation in strategic development sectors.

AIIB President Zou Jiayi thanked the Government and people of Pakistan for the warm hospitality extended to her delegation. She acknowledged Pakistan’s important role during the establishment of the Bank and appreciated the support and services provided by Pakistan’s leadership, particularly during the institution’s formative phase.

Praising the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, she reaffirmed AIIB’s interest in providing systematic support to Pakistan in key sectors. She emphasized the Bank’s willingness to expand cooperation in railways, highways infrastructure, regional and cross-border connectivity, digital infrastructure, urban and rural development, as well as Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing mutual cooperation to promote sustainable development, regional integration, and economic growth.

The meeting was attended by Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal, Abdul Aleem Khan, Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Sardar Owais Khan Leghari, Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, Bilal Azhar Kayani, and other senior officials.