Islamabad, 31 July , 2026 (Nosheen) Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif today met a delegation led by Ms. Bolormaa Amgaabazar, Country Director of the World Bank, in Islamabad. Welcoming the delegation, the Prime Minister appreciated the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and the World Bank and acknowledged the institution’s significant contribution to Pakistan’s socio-economic development. He expressed gratitude for the World Bank’s continued support in Pakistan’s development journey. The Prime Minister stated that the Government remains firmly committed to implementing its reform agenda to stabilize the economy and place it on a path of sustainable and inclusive growth. He emphasized that Pakistan’s constitutional federal structure, provincial autonomy, and close coordination and consultation between the Federation and the provinces are fundamental to the country’s development, stability, and effective governance.
During the meeting, the World Bank Country Director presented the report titled “Strengthening Fiscal Federalism in Pakistan” and briefed the Prime Minister on its key findings. The delegation highlighted the report’s analysis of the evolution of fiscal federalism in Pakistan following the Eighteenth Constitutional Amendment and the Seventh National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. It also shared its assessment of revenue generation, public expenditures, federal-provincial fiscal relations, institutional coordination, and the utilization of public resources. The report further included a number of policy recommendations aimed at strengthening fiscal discipline, improving the efficient use of resources, enhancing public service delivery, and promoting effective cooperation between federal and provincial institutions.
The Prime Minister appreciated the comprehensive analysis and comparative review presented by the World Bank, noting that such evidence-based studies and international best practices serve as valuable inputs for informed policymaking. The Prime Minister directed the constitution of a high-level committee to undertake a detailed review of the report. The committee will examine the recommendations in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, including the provincial governments, while taking into account Pakistan’s constitutional and federal framework, with a view to identifying practical proposals that serve the broader public interest. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal and Ahsan Cheema, Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr. Syed Tauqir Shah, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, and senior government officials.