Pakistan, UK reaffirm commitment to economic reforms, development partnership

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jul, 2026) Pakistan and the United Kingdom here on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their development partnership and advancing Pakistan's economic reform agenda.

The reaffirmation was made during the call on meeting of Development Director at the United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Sam Waldock with Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Ahad Cheema, to discuss bilateral cooperation, ongoing development initiatives, and Pakistan's reform agenda.

On the occasion, the minister outlined government's ongoing efforts to reform the tariff policy and introduce comprehensive sector-specific policy reforms, including the mobile policy, industrial policy, and other initiatives aimed at enhancing economic competitiveness and promoting sustainable growth.

Cheema acknowledged the FCDO's valuable support for the Strategic Initiatives Unit (SIU), which is strengthening policy implementation through embedded delivery mechanisms, as well as its assistance to the Governance Reforms Unit (GRU) in advancing institutional reforms.

He explained that the current petroleum pricing mechanism had helped curb hoarding and improve market stability, contributing to greater transparency and efficiency. He emphasized that economic stability was government's foremost priority, adding the Prime Minister personally chairs weekly meetings to review the performance of the Federal board of Revenue (FBR) and closely monitors development initiatives and key financial projects to ensure effective implementation.

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He said the government was committed to strictly following the approved development roadmap, with the Planning Commission and other relevant departments working in close coordination. He further stated that all new development projects will undergo predictive analysis to enhance planning, improve efficiency, and ensure better utilization of public resources.

On the occasion, Waldock welcomed the government's efforts on tariff policy reforms and commended its agenda of sector-specific policy reforms. He reaffirmed the United Kingdom's continued commitment to supporting Pakistan's development priorities through ongoing collaboration in key sectors.

He commended the Government's reform measures in the power and petroleum sectors, recognizing the steps taken to improve sectoral performance and enhance efficiency, transparency, and sustainability.

Sam Waldock expressed confidence that Pakistan and the United Kingdom would continue to work closely in advancing their shared development objectives.