Hamayun Iqbal Shami (Economist): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has held successful and conducive meeting with visiting delegation of the World Bank. The World Bank has allocated huge funds for investment in Pakistan. WB’s investment in Pakistan is a welcoming step as it will be boost our social sectors. The federation will have to take provinces onboard as all specified sectors have been devolved. These loans will have to be paid by provinces so they will have to utilize these funds carefully. So far Pakistan has taken $46 billion loan from World Bank. These loans have been beneficial for Pakistan in the past as we got cheaper electricity from Tarbela and Mangla dams. The World Bank‘s delegation is holding detailed talks with our departments in a bid to gauge their capacity for utilizing the allocated funds. In a bid to higher GDP growth, I suggest that the government should reduce tax rate along with expansion of tax net. In this regard, the government must bring more and more people in the tax net. Inflation rate has come down due to stable exchange rate which is result of check on smuggling of dollars. SIFC played key role in this regard. 

Dr Noor Fatima (Economist): World Bank’s investment of $20 billion in Pakistan is an encouraging development. This development is an expression of trust of international institution in economic strength of Pakistan. It will also boost the trust of other international financial institutions in Pakistan’s economy. Pakistan and World Bank have long partnership. The role of WB is meant for development especially the sectoral development which ultimately contributes to the GDP growth. It is great that Pakistan has capitalized WB investment as it will give a kind of narrative to government to sell abroad to attract more investment in Pakistan. Second phase of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC-II) is beginning and it will encourage the international investors to invest in Pakistan.