CPF 2026-35: World Bank Group pledges to mobilise up to USD2bn annually over next decade

Business Recorder reported that the World Bank Group has committed up to USD2bn a year for Pakistan over the next decade under its Country Partnership Framework for 2026-35. The government wants the added financing steered toward small and medium enterprises, public-private partnership projects and housing finance. The commitment was discussed at a Friday meeting between IFC Division Director Simon Andrews, World Bank Country Director Bolormaa Amgaabazar and Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema.

Cheema welcomed the expanded role of the International Finance Corporation over the past four years and said SMEs could be central to growth and job creation. The government is also strengthening the Public-Private Partnership Authority, with a proposed move under the Privatization Division and fresh legislation to widen its mandate. Under the plan, the authority would help ministries develop PPP projects, mobilise funds and oversee schemes run through it.

On housing, the minister said the government is trying to help people build their own homes and gain access to housing facilities, while considering ways to reinforce the institutional structure of home lending. He asked IFC to back those efforts. The IFC and World Bank representatives said they were ready to back sound projects with technical help and financing.