World Bank President Visits Ancestral Homeland in Pakistan
Ajay Banga, the President of the World Bank, whose roots are in India, traveled to his ancestral home in Pakistan’s Punjab province on Tuesday. Born in 1959 in Maharashtra, Banga’s family hails from this region that was part of undivided India before the partition in 1947.
His visit is part of a four-day trip, set to conclude on Wednesday, filled with both official duties and private moments. In his ancestral village, locals gathered to celebrate what they described as the “return of their son,” with the walls adorned with his posters.
On Monday, Banga, noted for his significant contribution to the Sikh community, visited the Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdul to offer prayers. This temple, linked to the first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak, remains an important site for Sikhs, even though many moved to India during the Partition.
Accompanying Banga were Muhammad Aurangzeb, a Union Minister in Pakistan, and Ramesh Singh Arora, Pakistan’s Provincial Minister and chairman of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.
Banga’s early life traces back to Khadki, Maharashtra, where he was born. He graduated from St. Stephen’s College in Delhi and later received a degree from the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad. Before his tenure at the World Bank Group, he held the position of Vice Chairman at General Atlantic Corporation and was previously the CEO of MasterCard. He became a U.S. citizen in 2007.
According to Ramesh Singh Arora, Sikhs globally, including those in India, maintain a strong connection with Pakistan due to its sacred religious sites.
Though Mr. Banga did not make an official statement during his visit, on Sunday, he visited the Jaulyan Buddhist site in Kanpur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with his wife and other dignitaries.
Pakistani state media reported that part of Banga’s visit involves discussions with high-ranking government officials regarding ongoing projects and major policy matters. This meeting comes as Pakistan and the World Bank are preparing to launch a ten-year partnership framework that aims to provide $20 billion in loans, addressing the needs of a country facing economic challenges. The loans, which are set to begin this year, will concentrate on critical areas such as education, child health, climate resilience, energy efficiency, and inclusive development.
During his stay, he is expected to meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other officials to discuss economic reforms and significant development initiatives.
Pakistan, which faced the possibility of defaulting on external debt in 2023, is currently under a $7 billion program with the International Monetary Fund to help stabilize its economy.
In December 2025, the World Bank approved a $700 million loan for Pakistan as part of a multi-year strategy, following a previous $48 million grant aimed at enhancing primary education in Punjab, the nation’s most populous province.
Ajay Banga also serves on President Donald Trump’s peace commission, tasked with addressing conflicts and aiding in the rebuilding of Gaza and other war-affected regions, a role that extends his influence beyond just the World Bank presidency.
His term at the World Bank, which started on June 2, 2023, comes with a significant mission—to turn the 80-year-old institution into a more effective partner in development.
As per the World Bank’s statements, since his appointment, Banga has focused on a new vision aimed at eradicating poverty and promoting a livable planet.
