Celina Ali
Islamabad: The United Kingdom this week reaffirmed its support for Pakistan’s economic reform agenda, with senior officials from both countries discussing tariff restructuring, sector-specific policy changes, and institutional reforms aimed at strengthening economic competitiveness and promoting sustainable growth.
Sam Waldock, Development Director at the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), called on Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema in Islamabad to review bilateral cooperation and ongoing development initiatives.
During the meeting, the minister briefed the visiting official on the government’s efforts to reform the tariff policy framework and implement targeted reforms across key sectors, including the mobile phone industry and broader industrial policy. He said these measures were intended to enhance productivity, attract investment, and support long-term economic development.
Waldock welcomed the government’s reform initiatives and appreciated the focus on sector-specific policies designed to improve the business environment. He reiterated the United Kingdom’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s development priorities through continued collaboration in areas of mutual interest.
Ahad Cheema also acknowledged the FCDO’s support for the Strategic Initiatives Unit (SIU), which is helping strengthen policy implementation through embedded delivery mechanisms, and for the Governance Reforms Unit (GRU), which is assisting efforts to advance institutional reforms.
The minister said economic stability remained the government’s foremost priority and highlighted the leadership’s close oversight of fiscal and development matters. According to him, the Prime Minister personally chairs weekly meetings to review the performance of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and monitor major development initiatives and financial projects to ensure effective implementation.
Discussing energy-sector reforms, Cheema said the current petroleum pricing mechanism had helped curb hoarding and improve market stability, contributing to greater transparency and efficiency in the market.
He further stated that the government was committed to following the approved development roadmap in coordination with the Planning Commission and other relevant departments. All new development projects, he added, would undergo predictive analysis to improve planning, enhance efficiency, and ensure better utilization of public resources.
Waldock commended the government’s reform measures in the power and petroleum sectors, noting that efforts to improve efficiency, transparency, and sustainability were important for strengthening overall economic performance.
Concluding the meeting, the FCDO official expressed confidence that Pakistan and the United Kingdom would continue to work closely in advancing shared development objectives. Minister Ahad Cheema thanked the United Kingdom for its longstanding partnership and continued support for Pakistan’s development and reform agenda.
