Pakistan Successfully Overcame Economic Challenges, PM Tells ADB VP

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with the Vice President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to review Pakistan’s development partnership with the bank and discuss a new strategy.

The meeting focused on priority areas under the Country Partnership Strategy 2026–2030. The prime minister welcomed the ADB vice president on his first official visit to Pakistan and appreciated the bank’s timely support and professional performance.

Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan had successfully overcome a difficult phase of economic recovery. He added that economic reforms had helped stabilize the economy and restore investor confidence.

The meeting gave special attention to the upgradation of the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project. The prime minister said upgrading ML-1 would improve the freight system and support regional trade. He stressed the need to start practical work on the project soon.

The two sides also discussed greater cooperation in the private sector, energy, food security, exports, artificial intelligence and information technology. They expressed a commitment to turn the Country Partnership Strategy 2026–2030 into practical development initiatives.