Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to facilitating foreign investment and maintaining regular engagement with the US business community, including the US Chamber of Commerce and the American Business Council.
According to an official statement, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs John Mark Pommersheim called on Aurangzeb at the Finance Division, accompanied by US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker.
The finance minister welcomed the delegation and appreciated the United States’ continued engagement in Pakistan’s economic development, particularly cooperation within multilateral financial frameworks. Both sides exchanged views on Pakistan’s economic outlook, reform agenda and ways to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation.
Briefing the US delegation, the finance minister said Pakistan has made progress on macroeconomic stabilization and reforms, with a focus on shifting toward sustainable, export led growth. He said the fiscal deficit has declined, the current account position has improved due to strong remittances and growth in IT exports, and credit ratings have shown positive movement.
The minister said the government remains committed to fiscal discipline, external stability and structural reforms aimed at long term growth. He added that reforms in state owned enterprises and right sizing of the public sector are being accelerated to improve efficiency and reduce fiscal risks.
He also pointed to rising investor confidence, citing recent indigenous investment initiatives and increased private sector participation across key sectors of the economy.
Pommersheim acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts toward stabilization and welcomed improvements in key macroeconomic indicators. He said the United States values a stable and prosperous Pakistan and noted that strengthening the investment climate remains a shared priority. He added that U.S. businesses are closely watching reform progress and policy consistency.
Aurangzeb also briefed the delegation on Pakistan’s plans to return to international capital markets, including a potential Panda Bond issuance, as part of efforts to diversify financing sources.
On privatization, the minister said the process is moving forward, with planned transactions in the banking and power distribution sectors and the outsourcing of major airports, starting with Islamabad.
The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to maintain close engagement to strengthen Pakistan-US economic cooperation further.
