Pakistan To Launch $250 Million Panda Bond In May

Pakistan is planning to launch a $250 million Panda bond in May as part of its shift toward commercial financing, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said.

Speaking to media at the EU Pakistan Business Forum Launch in Islamabad, he said discussions with Chinese authorities are in the final stages for the issuance.

The Panda bond will be backed by guarantees from the Asian Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, aimed at reducing borrowing costs and attracting investors.

Aurangzeb said Pakistan is gradually moving away from reliance on bilateral financing and focusing more on market based funding sources.

He added that the government plans to issue more international bonds, including Eurobonds and Sukuk, over the next two to three years. The move comes as Pakistan looks to diversify its funding sources and improve access to global capital markets.

The finance minister said the government is not currently seeking additional financing from friendly countries beyond existing support, including from Saudi Arabia.

He also noted that despite regional tensions in the Middle East, remittances have remained stable and there has been no major impact on food or fertilizer supply in the country.

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