Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, appeared on “Mornings with Maria” on Fox Business Network during the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings 2026, where he highlighted Pakistan’s economic outlook and its role in ongoing diplomatic efforts in the region.
The interview followed host Maria Bartiromo’s recent conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, during which he appreciated the Pakistani leadership for its role in facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran. Opening the discussion with a clip from that interview, Ms. Bartiromo referred to Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic engagement and invited the Finance Minister to share his perspective.
Responding to the query, the Finance Minister expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in Pakistan by the United States, Iran, and the international community. He noted that Pakistan’s leadership is actively engaged in advancing diplomatic efforts, with the Prime Minister undertaking intensive regional outreach and continued coordination aimed at sustaining the ceasefire and paving the way for further negotiations. He emphasized that these efforts reflect Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional and global stability.
On the economic front, Senator Aurangzeb outlined the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, noting that Pakistan is currently managing its first-order effects, including challenges related to energy procurement, pricing, and logistics. He stated that the government’s immediate focus has been on maintaining supply chain continuity, while the extent of second and third-order impacts on inflation, growth, and the external sector would depend on the duration and intensity of the conflict.
The Finance Minister highlighted that Pakistan’s macroeconomic indicators remain stable, supported by strengthened fiscal and external buffers. He noted that remittances have remained robust, reaching approximately USD 3.8 billion in March, while the country has also recorded a current account surplus. He expressed confidence that Pakistan would achieve around 4 percent economic growth in the current fiscal year and meet its fiscal and external sector targets, including maintaining foreign exchange reserves at a level equivalent to approximately three months of import cover.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to financial discipline, Senator Aurangzeb noted that Pakistan had successfully repaid its USD 1.4 billion Eurobond on time. He appreciated the timely financial support extended by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including USD 3 billion in additional deposits and the extension of existing deposits, which will further strengthen Pakistan’s external position.
The Finance Minister also outlined Pakistan’s forward-looking financing strategy, including plans to access international capital markets. He noted that the government is preparing for its inaugural Panda Bond issuance, alongside exploring Eurobond and other commercial financing avenues to diversify funding sources and sustain investor confidence.
The interview underscored Pakistan’s continued commitment to maintaining macroeconomic stability, fulfilling its external obligations, and pursuing prudent economic policies, while actively contributing to regional peace and stability.
