US official meets Pakistan's Finance Minister to discuss reforms, investment, privatization

Senior US diplomat John Mark Pommersheim met Pakistan’s finance minister on Tuesday to discuss economic reforms, investment facilitation and privatization plans, with both sides emphasizing sustained macroeconomic stability and stronger bilateral economic ties, according to a post by the Ministry of Finance on X.

Pommersheim, Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs, was joined by US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker for talks with Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue. The discussions focused on Pakistan’s fiscal and structural reforms, investment climate, and avenues for enhancing commercial engagement between the two countries.

The finance minister briefed the US delegation on Pakistan’s macroeconomic stabilization, highlighting a decline in the fiscal deficit, improvement in the current account due to strong remittances and IT export growth, and positive credit rating movements. He said the government would continue to maintain fiscal discipline, ensure external stability, and accelerate structural reforms including restructuring of state-owned enterprises and right-sizing of the public sector.

He also highlighted rising investor confidence, pointing to indigenous investment initiatives and increased private sector participation. Plans to re-enter international capital markets, including Panda Bond issuance, were outlined as part of a broader strategy to diversify financing sources.

On privatization, the minister said the government is moving ahead with banking and power sector transactions and plans to outsource major airports starting with Islamabad.

Pommersheim welcomed the progress in stabilization and reform and underscored that strengthening Pakistan’s investment climate is a shared priority, noting US businesses closely follow policy consistency and economic developments.

Both sides agreed to maintain regular engagement to further advance Pakistan–US economic cooperation.