World Bank Country Director Najy Benhassine on Tuesday lauded the government’s reform initiatives and reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting Pakistan in tackling economic challenges and achieving its development goals.
In a meeting with Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Benhassine assured the World Bank’s continued assistance in key priority areas. The session was also attended by the Finance Secretary and senior officials from the Finance Division, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Finance.
The federal minister emphasized the critical role of the World Bank in aiding Pakistan’s economic reforms and development strategy. He expressed appreciation for the bank’s financial and technical support across various sectors and reaffirmed the government’s focus on fiscal discipline, sustainable growth, and efficient resource allocation.
The discussions highlighted the need to establish a transparent and robust tax policy framework to boost revenue generation, improve compliance, and ensure fair taxation. The World Bank team also offered technical support to modernize budget preparation, enhance transparency in public financial management, and develop an effective debt management mechanism to reduce fiscal risks and ensure sustainability.
Other topics included issues surrounding the Agricultural Income Tax regime, GST harmonization in coordination with provinces, and the active role of the National Tax Council in strengthening tax administration.
The finance minister expressed gratitude for the World Bank’s support and reiterated the government’s commitment to implementing reforms aimed at achieving long-term economic stability and growth.
