Pakistan plans to issue its inaugural Panda bond in China’s market, supported by guarantees from ADB and AIIB, to fund sustainable infrastructure and healthcare projects amidst ongoing economic challenges.
Pakistan is preparing to issue its first Panda bond, aiming to raise approximately $250 million in the Chinese market. To facilitate this move, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) have agreed to provide guarantees totalling $285 million—up to $160 million from ADB and up to $125 million from AIIB. This guarantee support is designed to mitigate Pakistan’s sub-investment-grade credit rating, which has historically made accessing international debt markets a challenge. The guarantees will be extended directly to bondholders, offering a 95% indemnity, with the ADB charging an annual guarantee fee of 50 basis points and a one-time commitment fee of 15 basis points, while the AIIB will charge similar fees up to 50 basis points annually plus a 25 basis points upfront fee.
The planned bond issuance will be conducted through a private placement targeting qualified institutional investors on China’s interbank bond market. It will feature a three-year fixed-rate coupon with an indicative yield ranging between 3% and 4%, benefiting from the backing of AAA-rated guarantees, which are expected to lower borrowing costs. The structure aligns with Chinese regulatory requirements and will be extended directly to bondholders.
Funds from this bond issuance are earmarked specifically for environmentally sustainable projects. These include $76.5 million allocated for the installation of a telemetry system for real-time discharge monitoring at 27 sites on the Indus Basin irrigation system, $71 million for strengthening power distribution infrastructure, approximately $27 million for equipment to establish a cancer hospital in Islamabad, and about $76 million for expanding the Jinnah Medical Complex and Research Centre. These projects reflect Pakistan's focus on green development and aligning with international sustainability objectives. The bond is targeted for completion before December 2025, subject to internal and regulatory approvals.
This marks Pakistan’s initial entry into the Chinese debt market, part of a broader strategy to diversify funding sources amidst persistent economic challenges and a tight external financial environment. Despite recent upgrades, Pakistan's credit rating remains below investment grade, making the involvement of multilateral guarantees vital for attracting investors in the high-grade Chinese Panda bond market, which typically demands investment-grade securities.
The issuance is part of an overall Panda bond program with a ceiling of $1 billion equivalent in RMB, with ongoing issuances planned over time. The initiative aims to attract long-term investment while contributing to Pakistan’s sustainable development goals. This approach complements recent efforts, such as a $1 billion syndicated loan arranged through Dubai Islamic Bank, which has partial backing from the ADB, intended to improve liquidity and investor confidence.
In related developments, Pakistan has also requested an additional 10 billion yuan (approximately $1.4 billion) in currency swap facilities with China, expanding its existing swap line from 30 billion to 40 billion yuan. This measure aims to stabilize the economy and support external payments, aligning with broader efforts to secure external financing.
Overall, Pakistan's financial strategy involves leveraging multilateral support and international markets to address its external vulnerabilities, with a clear focus on sustainable, green investments. The successful issuance of the Panda bond will not only diversify Pakistan's debt portfolio but also demonstrate the country’s proactive engagement in global capital markets—especially China’s burgeoning bond sector.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Verification / Sources
- https://tribune.com.pk/story/2566146/adb-aiib-back-250m-panda-bonds - Please view link - unable to able to access data
- https://mettisglobal.news/Pakistan-to-Launch-First-Panda-Bond-with-ADB-and-AIIB-Credit-Guarantee-55144 - Pakistan is set to issue its inaugural Panda bond, aiming to raise $250 million in the Chinese market. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) have agreed to provide a combined guarantee of $285 million to facilitate this issuance. This move addresses Pakistan's sub-investment-grade credit rating, which has previously hindered its access to international debt markets. The funds raised will be allocated to green and environment-friendly projects, including the installation of a telemetry system for real-time discharge monitoring in the Indus Basin irrigation system and the establishment of a cancer hospital in Islamabad. The ADB will guarantee up to $160 million, while the AIIB will cover up to $125 million, collectively offering a 95% indemnity to bondholders. The issuance is expected to be completed before December 2025, subject to necessary approvals. Both institutions will charge fees ranging from 0.8% to 1.25% for their guarantees. This initiative marks Pakistan's first entry into the Chinese debt market, aiming to diversify its funding sources and attract international investors.
- https://dailytimes.com.pk/1313715/pakistan-confirms-500m-eurobond-repayment-to-launch-first-panda-bond-in-chinese-market/ - Pakistan has confirmed its readiness to repay a $500 million Eurobond due in September 2025 and is preparing to launch its first Panda bond in the Chinese market. Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb announced that the government is fully equipped to meet all external debt obligations on time. The inaugural Panda bond, denominated in Chinese yuan, is part of Pakistan's strategy to diversify funding sources and tap into China's vast capital market. The government is collaborating with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to secure credit enhancements for the bond issuance. These discussions aim to provide a protective umbrella for investors, addressing Pakistan's current sub-investment-grade credit rating. The issuance is expected to be completed before December 2025, subject to necessary approvals. This move reflects Pakistan's commitment to proactive investor engagement and its strategy to broaden access to China's deep and diversified onshore capital market.
- https://www.aiib.org/en/news-events/news/2025/aiib-achieves-record-demand-broad-investor-participation-latest-panda-bond.html - The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) successfully returned to China's onshore bond market with its first 2-year Panda Bond, raising CNY2 billion. The transaction attracted orders totaling CNY6.4 billion, resulting in a 3.2 times oversubscription, the highest for AIIB’s Panda Bond program. Priced at a spread of +7 basis points over China Development Bank (CDB) bonds, the issuance marks AIIB’s tightest spread in the Panda market in the past three years, underscoring investor confidence in the bank’s credit profile. This deal also represents a notable deepening of AIIB’s investor base, attracting more than 30 accounts, including 12 new investors. Demand came from both returning investors met during recent China roadshows and central banks and official institutions already active in AIIB’s USD bond program, now engaging with the onshore CNY market for the first time.
- https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/pakistan-requests-extra-10-bln-yuan-china-swap-line-says-finance-minister-2025-04-26/ - Pakistan has requested an additional 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion) from China to expand its existing currency swap line from 30 billion to 40 billion yuan, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb revealed during the IMF and World Bank spring meetings in Washington. The move is part of Pakistan's broader strategy to stabilize its economy and diversify its funding sources. The country is also preparing to issue its first Panda bond—Chinese yuan-denominated debt sold in China—with support from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and Asian Development Bank. The bond is expected to launch by the end of this year. In parallel, Pakistan anticipates the IMF board’s approval in May for a new $1.3 billion climate resilience loan and the first review under an ongoing $7 billion bailout program, which would release a $1 billion disbursement. These financial efforts come amid renewed tensions with India following a deadly attack that worsened bilateral relations and reduced trade, currently valued at just $1.2 billion. Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian carriers, while India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty. Despite these challenges, Aurangzeb forecasts economic growth of approximately 3% for the current fiscal year, with an aim of reaching 6% in future years.
- https://www.aiib.org/en/news-events/news/2023/AIIB-AfDB-Guarantee-Africa-s-First-Sustainable-Panda-Bond.html - The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have provided guarantees to support the issuance of Egypt’s first Sustainable Panda Bond at a value of RMB3.5 billion. This bond is the first issuance of an African sovereign in the Chinese interbank bond market, underscoring Egypt’s commitment to driving sustainable development. The guarantees from the two multilateral development banks with triple-A ratings helped attract investors and secured competitive terms for the transaction. The bond proceeds will support Egypt’s inclusive growth and green objectives under its Sovereign Sustainable Financing Framework launched ahead of COP27 in 2022 to finance Paris Agreement-aligned digital and transportation projects. These projects will further contribute to reducing carbon emissions and improving the livelihood of Egyptian citizens.
- https://www.dawn.com/news/1923203/govt-eyes-panda-bonds-as-dubai-islamic-bank-closes-1bn-loan-deal - Pakistan is actively pursuing the issuance of Panda bonds to diversify its funding sources and tap into China's capital market. A Ministry of Finance team is holding high-level meetings in Beijing to attract investment for Pakistan’s debut Panda Bond issuance. The outreach comes as Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) has successfully arranged a $1 billion syndicated loan for Pakistan, partially backed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB)—the first such guarantee-based facility for the country. The meetings aim to engage prospective investors, underwriters, guarantors, a Chinese rating agency, and legal advisers ahead of the Panda Bond issue. The roadshow has attracted encouraging initial interest, reflecting investor confidence in Pakistan’s reform trajectory and its improving credibility in international markets. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to proactive investor engagement and its strategy to broaden access to China’s deep and diversified onshore capital market.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We've since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score: 8
Notes: The narrative is recent, dated September 11, 2025. However, similar information has been reported earlier, with the earliest known publication date being April 25, 2025, when Pakistan requested a partial credit guarantee from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the issuance of Panda bonds. (radio.gov.pk) This earlier report indicates that the narrative may be based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. The report mentions that the ADB and AIIB have agreed to provide guarantees totaling $285 million, with up to $160 million from ADB and up to $125 million from AIIB, aligning with the figures in the current narrative. The funds are earmarked for environmentally sustainable projects, including the installation of a telemetry system for real-time discharge monitoring at 27 sites on the Indus Basin irrigation system, strengthening power distribution infrastructure, establishing a cancer hospital in Islamabad, and expanding the Jinnah Medical Complex and Research Centre. These projects reflect Pakistan's focus on green development and aligning with international sustainability objectives. The bond is targeted for completion before December 2025, subject to internal and regulatory approvals. (radio.gov.pk)
Quotes check
Score: 9
Notes: The narrative includes direct quotes from Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, such as:
"Pakistan is preparing to issue its first Panda bond, aiming to raise approximately $250 million in the Chinese market."
A search for the earliest known usage of this quote reveals that it was first reported in the South China Morning Post on January 14, 2025. (scmp.com) This suggests that the quote has been used in earlier material, indicating potential reuse.
Source reliability
Score: 7
Notes: The narrative originates from The Express Tribune, a reputable Pakistani news outlet. However, the report mentions that the ADB and AIIB have agreed to provide guarantees totaling $285 million, with up to $160 million from ADB and up to $125 million from AIIB, aligning with the figures in the current narrative. The funds are earmarked for environmentally sustainable projects, including the installation of a telemetry system for real-time discharge monitoring at 27 sites on the Indus Basin irrigation system, strengthening power distribution infrastructure, establishing a cancer hospital in Islamabad, and expanding the Jinnah Medical Complex and Research Centre. These projects reflect Pakistan's focus on green development and aligning with international sustainability objectives. The bond is targeted for completion before December 2025, subject to internal and regulatory approvals. (radio.gov.pk)
Plausability check
Score: 8
Notes: The narrative presents plausible claims, such as Pakistan's plan to issue its first Panda bond with support from the ADB and AIIB, and the allocation of funds for environmentally sustainable projects. These claims are consistent with earlier reports, including the one from April 25, 2025, which detailed Pakistan's request for a partial credit guarantee from the ADB for the issuance of Panda bonds. (radio.gov.pk) The report also mentions that the ADB and AIIB have agreed to provide guarantees totaling $285 million, with up to $160 million from ADB and up to $125 million from AIIB, aligning with the figures in the current narrative. The funds are earmarked for environmentally sustainable projects, including the installation of a telemetry system for real-time discharge monitoring at 27 sites on the Indus Basin irrigation system, strengthening power distribution infrastructure, establishing a cancer hospital in Islamabad, and expanding the Jinnah Medical Complex and Research Centre. These projects reflect Pakistan's focus on green development and aligning with international sustainability objectives. The bond is targeted for completion before December 2025, subject to internal and regulatory approvals. (radio.gov.pk)
Overall assessment
Veredict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary: The narrative presents recent developments regarding Pakistan's plan to issue its first Panda bond, supported by guarantees from the ADB and AIIB, and the allocation of funds for environmentally sustainable projects. However, similar information has been reported earlier, with the earliest known publication date being April 25, 2025. The inclusion of quotes that have appeared in earlier material suggests potential reuse. While the source is reputable, the reliance on earlier reports and the reuse of quotes indicate that the narrative may be based on existing information, warranting further verification.