Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar visited the Headquarters of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila today.

Upon arrival, he was received by the Director General for the Central and West Asia Department, Ms. Leah Gutierrez. He also signed the ADB Visitors' Book.

Later, Pakistan's Executive Director to the Asian Development Bank, Ms. Nashita Mohsin, hosted a working lunch in the honour of the Deputy Prime Minister with a group of Pakistani professionals serving in senior leadership positions in the Bank.

The interaction provided an opportunity to exchange views on the Asian Development Bank's evolving development agenda, its partnership with Pakistan, and the important role being played by Pakistani professionals in advancing the Bank's work across a broad range of sectors and regions.

The Deputy Prime Minister appreciated their valuable contributions to the Asian Development Bank's mission and acknowledged the distinction they bring to Pakistan through their leadership and expertise at the institution.

He also congratulated Ms. Nashita Mohsin on assuming her responsibilities as Pakistan's Executive Director to the Asian Development Bank and wished her success in advancing Pakistan's engagement with the Bank.

Ishaq Dar also held a productive meeting with ADB Vice President Yingming Yang, ADB Vice President Fatima Yasmin, ADB Director Generals and officials, along with Executive Director for Pakistan, Ms. Nashita Mohsin.

The two sides reaffirmed their more than six-decade-long Pakistan-ADB partnership and explored ways to further strengthen cooperation in infrastructure, climate resilience, regional connectivity, and sustainable economic growth.

Ishaq Dar appreciated ADB's steadfast support for Pakistan's development priorities and underscored the importance of continued collaboration.

He highlighted the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project as one of the Government's flagship infrastructure initiatives and a priority of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized ADB's continued support in leading the consortium lending for this project and requested an expedited processing timeline.

The ADB Vice Presidents reaffirmed the Bank's commitment to working closely with Pakistan to advance the project, recognizing its transformative role in modernizing Pakistan's railway network, strengthening connectivity and supporting sustainable economic growth.