ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Kingdom (UK) have reaffirmed their commitment to deeper cooperation on economic reforms, governance improvements and development priorities during a meeting in Islamabad between Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and UK Minister for Development Baroness Chapman, the Finance Division said on Tuesday.

According to the ministry’s statement, “Both sides exchanged views on Pakistan’s macroeconomic stabilization efforts and the Government’s commitment to structural reforms in taxation, energy, state-owned enterprises, public finance management, and privatization.”

Aurangzeb thanked the UK for its backing at the International Monetary Fund, saying that support “contributed to the successful completion of Pakistan’s program reviews.”

He outlined progress on broadening the tax base, improving transparency through technology, and pushing governance reforms.

The minister also highlighted work under way on energy-sector efficiencies, debt management, public-sector right-sizing, pension reform and fiscal sustainability aimed at creating space for social-sector spending.

The discussion also covered Pakistan’s devolved governance system, with both sides stressing the need for stronger federal–provincial coordination to boost investment in health, education, population management and climate resilience.

Aurangzeb emphasized aligning development spending with national priorities and accelerating programs supported by the World Bank and other partners.

Both delegations reviewed women’s economic participation, demographic pressures and policy options for family planning and social-protection measures.

The statement said, “Baroness Chapman reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s readiness to provide technical assistance, regulatory support, and capacity-building under ongoing partnerships, particularly in areas such as digitalization, governance reforms, investment climate improvement, and ease of doing business.”

It added that both sides reiterated their commitment “to strengthening the long-standing partnership” and agreed to continue close cooperation on shared development goals. Pakistan also welcomed prospects for expanded collaboration on economic management, climate and population policy, and financial-sector reforms.

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Pakistan, UK vow deeper cooperation on reforms, governance, development priorities