Bangkok:Pakistan and the Islamic Development Bank have reaffirmed their commitment to a strong partnership aimed at transformational investments and effective development outcomes. This resolve was expressed during a meeting between Pakistan's Minister for Economic Affairs, Ahad Khan Cheema, and the Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank, Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, held in Bangkok.

According to Radio Pakistan, the meeting took place on the sidelines of the 2026 World Bank Group-IMF Annual Meetings. Discussions centered on accelerating development cooperation under Pakistan's Member Country Partnership Strategy 2026-2030. Minister Cheema congratulated Dr. Al Jasser on his re-election and reaffirmed Pakistan's confidence in his leadership.

The Minister welcomed the Member Country Partnership Strategy, which proposes approximately $5.6 billion in indicative financing from the Islamic Development Bank Group, and emphasized the importance of turning this into a concrete pipeline of projects with clear timelines. He expressed appreciation for the bank's financing of $475 million for the M-6 Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway and its support for Pakistan's polio eradication efforts, including a recent approval of $100 million for Phase V.

Minister Cheema highlighted the strategic importance of the ML-1 Railway Upgradation Project for enhancing Pakistan's railway network and economic competitiveness. He called for increased support from the Islamic Development Bank and urged coordination with the Asian Development Bank and other co-financiers to advance the project.

Additionally, he mentioned the mobilization of over $1 billion in trade financing through the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation for FY2025-26, seeking more competitive terms for future facilities.

Dr. Al Jasser commended Pakistan's ambitious economic development vision and reaffirmed the Islamic Development Bank Group's commitment to supporting Pakistan's development priorities.