Asian Development Bank President Masato Kanda has reaffirmed ADB's continued engagement with Pakistan and its commitment to fast-track the Bank's institutional processes for the ML-1 project.

He expressed this resolve during a meeting with Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema on the sidelines of the 2026 Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, today.

During the meeting, both sides discussed Pakistan's development priorities and avenues for strengthening cooperation under the ADB Country Partnership Strategy 2026-2030.

The minister appreciated ADB's longstanding partnership with Pakistan. He welcomed the approval of ADB's Country Partnership Strategy 2026-2030 as an important framework for a more strategic and impact-oriented partnership.

Emphasising the importance of private sector-led growth, the minister called for an expansion of ADB's non-sovereign operations in Pakistan and a stronger permanent on-ground presence to facilitate investment transactions and develop a robust pipeline of public-private partnership projects.

The minister also appreciated ADB's lead role in advancing the ML-1 Railway Upgradation Project and underlined the need for early completion of the feasibility study and commencement of the procurement process for this flagship project.

Both sides also expressed their resolve to work closely together to accelerate project implementation and deliver sustainable development outcomes for Pakistan.