Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Mohammad Aurangzeb, has emphasised the critical importance of continuous engagement and senior-level participation by international financial institutions to build confidence and momentum with Pakistan.
Speaking during a meeting with a senior delegation from Citi Bank at the Ministry of Finance, the minister said Pakistan has historically been an important market for global banks, and this legacy should be strengthened through consistent, reform-aligned collaboration.
The discussion covered autonomous financial management, Pakistan’s presence in global financial markets, and potential avenues for future cooperation. The Citi Bank delegation was led by Country Officer Habib Yousuf and included Head of Corporate Banking Ali Sanaa Rizvi and Vice President Osama Pracha. The ministry’s core team responsible for debt management, capital markets, and policy oversight also participated.
During the meeting, the ministry briefed the delegation on the current global financial situation and Pakistan’s overall external financing position. Key topics included the recent performance of Pakistan’s international bonds, government strategies for external debt management, market timing, and pricing considerations. The need to align future financial initiatives with sustainable debt management and cost-efficient government targets was emphasised.
Officials also highlighted preparations for autonomous financing programmes, including initial work on mid-term note structures, while immediate focus remains on completing priority financial matters. Internal approvals and structural groundwork have been completed, and accessing global markets will be considered under appropriate market conditions.
The meeting also addressed investor outreach strategies. The ministry stressed that promoting active, targeted investor participation is a priority over passive investment approaches. Citing recent positive trends in portfolio investment, officials noted the importance of direct engagement with long-term institutional investors, private placements, and effective outreach.
Citi Bank’s expertise was acknowledged as valuable in structured programmes, documentation frameworks, and market infrastructure. The discussion also touched on the importance of establishing robust legal and documentation structures before engaging in complex financial transactions. Potential trade and hedging structures were briefly explored, with the understanding that any implementation will require proper documentation and pricing assessment.
Concluding the meeting, both sides agreed to maintain ongoing contact and explore further avenues of mutual cooperation. The Ministry of Finance welcomed Citi Bank’s interest in autonomous financial solutions and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to constructive partnerships aligned with its overall financing strategy and economic objectives.
