Pakistan to chair World Bank, IMF boards of governors in 2027

Pakistan is set to chair the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund in 2027, the first time since 1953. Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Pakistan's Governor to the World Bank Group, has been put forward to head both boards. According to the ministry, the decision was announced on Friday at the 2026 WBG-IMF Annual Meetings in Bangkok.

In Bangkok, Cheema was briefed by the WBG Corporate Secretariat on the chairmanship's duties and discussed institutional backing with Corporate Secretary Aradhana Kumar Capoor. He also met outgoing chairman Carlos Carvalho Spalding to congratulate him on finishing his term. Cheema outlined four goals for Pakistan's tenure: a stronger voice for developing nations, more predictable and effective development finance, better coordination among multilateral development institutions, and private capital drawn into durable, broad-based growth.

In talks with World Bank Managing Director of Operations Anna Bjerde, Cheema sought more support for the ML-1 railway upgrade, a proposed Economic Railway Corridor of roughly 1,800 km, and a planned Minerals Compact for mining. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, leading the delegation, said the fiscal deficit has reached a 22-year low, primary surpluses were recorded for three straight years, and foreign exchange reserves have strengthened. He restated the government's dedication to structural changes and growth driven by exports, and urged reforms so multilateral institutions better represent developing countries.