Pakistan, Oct. 11 -- Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb heads to Bangkok for the IMF and World Bank annual meetings with more than 60 engagements lined up and a message Islamabad is increasingly keen to sell. Pakistan has moved from macroeconomic stabilisation towards investment and export-led growth.

Days before his departure, Pakistan and the IMF reached a staff-level agreement that could unlock another $1.2 billion, subject to Executive Board approval. Pakistan has also returned to international bond markets, while recent ratings upgrades and stronger reserves have eased the sense of permanent financial emergency.

There is progress to show. Pakistan came through another difficult year without allowing the Middle East conflict to pus...