Pakistan to Chair IMF, World Bank Boards in 2027
Pakistan will chair the Boards of Governors of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group in 2027, returning to the role for the first time since 1953.
Ahad Khan Cheema named incoming chair
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, who also serves as Pakistan’s Governor to the World Bank Group, was formally announced as the incoming chair during the plenary session of the 2026 IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs described the appointment as a historic milestone and said it would give the country an opportunity to contribute to global economic and development discussions while facilitating dialogue among member states.
The Boards of Governors are the highest decision-making bodies of the IMF and World Bank Group and are made up of representatives from their member countries.
Pakistan returns to role after 73 years
Pakistan last held the chairmanship in 1953, making its 2027 appointment the first in more than seven decades.
The chairmanship should not be confused with leadership of the institutions’ executive boards or their day-to-day management. The IMF’s Executive Board continues to be chaired by its Managing Director, while the Boards of Governors meet primarily around the institutions’ annual governance process.
Appointment comes during IMF programme
Pakistan remains engaged with the IMF under a $7 billion Extended Fund Facility and a $1.4 billion Resilience and Sustainability Facility.
IMF staff and Pakistani authorities have also reached agreement on recent programme reviews that could result in around $1.2 billion in additional disbursements, subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board.
The 2026 IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings are being held in Bangkok from October 12 to 18.
