Pakistan, ADB reinforce development partnership

Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, who also serves as Pakistan's Governor to the Asian Development Bank, met ADB President Masato Kanda on the sidelines of the 2026 Annual Meetings in Bangkok. According to Business Recorder, the talks focused on Pakistan's development priorities and ways to deepen cooperation under the bank's Country Partnership Strategy for 2026-2030. Cheema congratulated Kanda on his re-election to a second term and described the approved strategy as a framework for more strategic, impact-oriented partnership.

Cheema pressed for greater private sector-led growth, seeking a larger role for the bank's non-sovereign operations and a permanent on-ground presence to speed investment deals and public-private partnership projects. The delegation also asked for affordable financing and more flexibility in the lending framework. Both sides committed to working closely to speed up project delivery and achieve lasting outcomes for Pakistan.

Cheema also thanked ADB for its lead role in the ML-1 Railway Upgradation Project, which aims to modernise the railway corridor and strengthen regional connectivity. He stressed that the feasibility study should be completed early and procurement should begin for this flagship project. Kanda reaffirmed ADB's continued engagement with Pakistan and pledged to help speed up the bank's internal processes for the project.