World Bank Country Director Bolorma Amgaabazar Calls on Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives
World Bank Country Director Bolorma Amgaabazar Calls on Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives
Ahsan Iqbal Emphasizes Intelligent Planning, Strengthened Partnerships, and Revival of Pakistan Development Forum aligned with URAAN Pakistan Vision
May 28, 2025- Islamabad: The newly appointed Country Director of the World Bank for Pakistan, Ms. Bolorma Amgaabazar, called on Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, in Islamabad today. The outgoing Country Director, Mr. Najy Benhassine, also participated in the meeting.
Welcoming Ms. Amgaabazar, Minister Ahsan Iqbal appreciated the World Bank’s continued partnership and acknowledged Mr. Benhassine’s instrumental role in deepening development cooperation during his tenure. He expressed confidence that this positive trajectory will continue under Ms. Amgaabazar’s leadership, especially under the evolving priorities set forth in Pakistan’s long-term development roadmap.
Minister Iqbal emphasized that the government has launched the URAAN Pakistan initiative—a comprehensive and future-oriented development framework designed to position Pakistan as a $3 trillion economy by 2047. He noted that the initiative is rooted in five strategic pillars, known as the 5Es: Exports, E-Pakistan, Environment & Climate Resilience, Energy & Infrastructure, and Equity, Ethics & Empowerment. The initiative is focused on smart governance, inclusive growth, and public sector transformation.
“In today’s fast-changing global context, planning must be intelligent and adaptive,” said the Minister. “URAAN Pakistan is about creating hope, harnessing innovation, and enabling long-term stability through scenario-based planning and institutional reform.”
The Minister also reiterated the government’s intent to revive the Pakistan Development Forum later this year aligned with the framework of URAAN Pakistan, as a platform to foster strategic dialogue between the Government of Pakistan and its development partners. Mr. Benhassine welcomed this initiative and suggested timing the forum to align with the World Bank’s business planning calendar.
Discussions during the meeting included the significance of collaborative planning, federal-provincial coordination, and institutional resilience. Minister Iqbal underscored the Ministry’s leadership during recent national emergencies, including the 2022 floods and the COVID-19 response. He highlighted these examples as successful case studies of integrated planning and swift execution—core principles being institutionalized under URAAN Pakistan.
He further informed the delegation that the Planning Ministry is currently leading an extensive consultative process to modernize civil service and improve public sector delivery, aligned with URAAN Pakistan’s emphasis on institutional excellence. The World Bank team offered continued support in advancing reforms and strengthening implementation capacity, particularly for large-scale infrastructure and social development projects.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with Minister Ahsan Iqbal extending warm wishes to Ms. Bolorma Amgaabazar for a successful tenure and reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to deepening cooperation with the World Bank in pursuit of a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready Pakistan.
