The World Bank has moved Pakistan out of the South Asia region and officially reclassified it into the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan region.

Pakistan: I am not a South Asian country—don't lump me together with "Bhaiya" (India).

　　The World Bank removed Pakistan and Afghanistan from the South Asia regional classification last year, officially reclassifying them into the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAP) region. This change will take effect from July 1, 2025.

　　After this adjustment, the South Asia region as defined by the World Bank now includes six countries: India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

　　This reclassification was initiated at Pakistan's request. Previously, the AIIB's South Asia office was located in India, but the new AIIB structure aligns administratively with the World Bank’s Middle East and North Africa center in Riyadh. Pakistan's inclusion in MENAP is not based on its geographical location, but rather on its economic behavior and the strongest economic ties it maintains with other countries.

　　The economic outlook report released by the region in April 2026 already includes projections for both Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1862753792102535/

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