Pakistan seeks US support for better access to global capital markets

FinMin tells US Treasury Sec the country has moved from macroeconomic stabilisation to sustainable, export-led growth

Pakistan on Tuesday sought greater US support for improved access to international capital markets, stronger foreign exchange reserves and better sovereign credit ratings as Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

According to the Finance Ministry, Aurangzeb briefed the US Treasury Secretary on Pakistan's economic progress, saying the country had moved from "macroeconomic stabilisation to sustainable, export-led growth".

During the meeting, the finance minister also highlighted "the negative impacts of the regional situation on the Pakistani economy," noting that the economy remained vulnerable to geopolitical developments in the region.

وفاقی وزیرِ خزانہ و محصولات سینیٹر محمد اورنگ زیب کی امریکی ہم منصب سکاٹ بیسنٹ سے ملاقات

وزیرِ خزانہ سینیٹر محمد اورنگ زیب نے امریکی وزیر خزانہ کو پاکستان کے میکرواکنامک استحکام سے پائیدار اور برآمدات پر مبنی گروتھ کے سفر سے آگاہ کیا

وزیرخزانہ نے علاقائی صورتحال کے پاکستانی… pic.twitter.com/bYdKRDFXpt

— Ministry of Finance, Government of Pakistan (@Financegovpk) July 21, 2026

The ministry said Aurangzeb sought "greater US support for Pakistan's road to market based on improved access to international capital markets, higher foreign exchange reserves, and enhanced sovereign credit ratings".

The finance minister expressed Pakistan's desire for US cooperation regarding "improved access to international capital markets, enhancement in foreign exchange reserves, and increased market access based on sovereign credit ratings".

The two sides also reviewed prospects for expanding bilateral economic ties and investment.

The Ministry of Finance said, "both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral economic cooperation, promoting greater US investment, and advancing strategic projects."

It added that both Pakistan and the United States expressed "commitment to promote economic cooperation, increase US investment, and ensure progress on strategic projects."

Aurangzeb on Tuesday held a virtual meeting from Washington DC with the senior leadership of consortia of international banks under Pakistan's Global Medium-Term Note Programme and International Sukuk Programme.

The meeting marked the commencement of a strategic partnership with selected financial institutions.

The consortia have been appointed for three years and will support Pakistan's sovereign capital market issuances of both conventional and Islamic financing instruments. Upon completion of the required documentation and all applicable formalities, the government intends to utilise these structures for frequent issuances, as and when required, in line with its financing strategy.

Pakistan's re-engagement with international capital markets is supported by the country's improving macroeconomic environment. Sustained fiscal consolidation, the rebuilding of external buffers, strengthening debt sustainability indicators and the continued implementation of structural reforms have reinforced investor confidence and economic credibility.

The positive reassessment of Pakistan's macroeconomic outlook is also evident from the significant compression in sovereign credit spreads, with market pricing increasingly reflecting strong underlying credit fundamentals and confidence in the country's reform trajectory.