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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Kingdom (UK) have reaffirmed their commitment to deeper cooperation on economic reforms, governance improvements and development priorities during a meeting in Islamabad between Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and UK Minister for Development Baroness Chapman, the Finance Division said on Tuesday.&nbsp;According to the ministry&rsquo;s statement, &ldquo;Both sides exchanged views on Pakistan&rsquo;s macroeconomic stabilization efforts and the Government&rsquo;s commitment to structural reforms in taxation, energy, state-owned enterprises, public finance management, and privatization.&rdquo;&nbsp;Aurangzeb thanked the UK for its backing at the International Monetary Fund, saying that support &ldquo;contributed to the successful completion of Pakistan&rsquo;s program reviews.&rdquo;&nbsp;He outlined progress on broadening the tax base, improving transparency through technology, and pushing governance reforms.&nbsp;The minister also highlighted work under way on energy-sector efficiencies, debt management, public-sector right-sizing, pension reform and fiscal sustainability aimed at creating space for social-sector spending.&nbsp;The discussion also covered Pakistan&rsquo;s devolved governance system, with both sides stressing the need for stronger federal&ndash;provincial coordination to boost investment in health, education, population management and climate resilience.&nbsp;Aurangzeb emphasized aligning development spending with national priorities and accelerating programs supported by the World Bank and other partners.&nbsp;Both delegations reviewed women&rsquo;s economic participation, demographic pressures and policy options for family planning and social-protection measures.&nbsp;The statement said, &ldquo;Baroness Chapman reaffirmed the United Kingdom&rsquo;s readiness to provide technical assistance, regulatory support, and capacity-building under ongoing partnerships, particularly in areas such as digitalization, governance reforms, investment climate improvement, and ease of doing business.&rdquo;&nbsp;It added that both sides reiterated their commitment &ldquo;to strengthening the long-standing partnership&rdquo; and agreed to continue close cooperation on shared development goals. Pakistan also welcomed prospects for expanded collaboration on economic management, climate and population policy, and financial-sector reforms.

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan’s Finance Minister met the UK’s Development Minister in Islamabad to discuss economic reforms, governance, and development priorities. Both sides agreed on macroeconomic stabilization, social-sector investment, women’s participation, federal–provincial coordination, and continued UK technical support.


Articles tagged with "Minister for Development Baroness Chapman"

Pakistan, UK vow deeper cooperation on reforms, governance, development priorities