ISLAMABAD, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema on Monday met President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Zou Jiayi, to discuss future development cooperation and infrastructure investment initiatives in Pakistan.
During the meeting, the minister congratulated Ms. Zou Jiayi on assuming office and expressed confidence that Pakistan’s partnership with the AIIB would further strengthen under her leadership.
The AIIB president reaffirmed Pakistan’s position as a strategic development partner of the bank, noting that the institution’s overall portfolio in the country stands at nearly $3.5 billion. She sought details regarding Pakistan’s development priorities for the next three to five years to ensure future cooperation remains aligned with national economic objectives.
She also expressed the bank’s interest in expanding its operations in Pakistan beyond sovereign financing by exploring non-sovereign investments and increasing collaboration with the private sector.
Ahad Cheema acknowledged AIIB’s ongoing portfolio of approximately $1.387 billion in Pakistan and appreciated the bank’s continued support for the country’s development agenda. He emphasized the government’s focus on major infrastructure projects, particularly in the railway, road and power sectors, aimed at generating long-term economic benefits.
The minister highlighted the importance of modernizing Pakistan’s railway and logistics systems, stating that improved freight movement would significantly enhance economic productivity and efficiency.
He stressed the need for AIIB’s support for transformative infrastructure initiatives, including the Main Line-1 Railway Project (ML-1), N-5 National Highway Phase-II and the modernization of electricity transmission and distribution systems.
The minister also underscored the government’s strategy to prioritize high-impact and outcome-oriented projects over the next several years and called for aligning external economic assistance with federal development priorities.
During the meeting, Ahad Cheema proposed the establishment of an AIIB office in Pakistan to facilitate closer coordination and improve institutional engagement. He also encouraged greater cooperation with the private sector, particularly in agriculture, to strengthen value chains and promote sustainable economic growth.
Concluding the meeting, the minister reiterated Pakistan’s request for expedited AIIB cooperation and enhanced support for priority infrastructure projects, reaffirming the government’s commitment to sustainable economic development through strategic partnerships.
