World Bank President Ajay Banga visits Gurdwara Panja Sahib during Pakistan tour
Babushahi Bureau
Hassan Abdal, Pakistan, February 2, 2026: World Bank Group President Ajay Pal Singh Banga visited Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib in Hassan Abdal along with his family on the first day of his four-day official visit to Pakistan. The visit was conducted under tight security arrangements.
Banga was received by members of the gurdwara management committee, as well as Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora and Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, who welcomed the visiting dignitary and his delegation.
During his visit, the World Bank President performed parikrama, offered prayers, and partook in langar. When requested to address the sangat (devotees), Banga reportedly politely declined, stating that only the Granthi Sahib has the authority to speak inside a gurdwara, reflecting adherence to Sikh religious traditions.
Banga also interacted with devotees and obliged requests for photographs, drawing appreciation for his respectful and humble conduct.
As part of his Pakistan visit, he is scheduled to travel to Khushab on February 3 to visit his parents’ ancestral village.
The visit comes in the context of the World Bank’s announcement last year to provide $20 billion in financing to Pakistan over the next decade, aimed at supporting initiatives in nutrition, education, and renewable energy to promote long-term economic growth and private sector development.