New Delhi

World Bank President Ajay Pal Singh Banga said the partition was a traumatic experience for the migrants both in India and Pakistan, as families were split and divided, people died, systems were broken, and they had to leave everything behind.

He was speaking after visiting his ancestral village in Khushab, Pakistan, where he was welcomed by residents with drum beats and a lot of fanfare.

World Bank President Ajay Banga visits his ancestral haveli (Undivided India) in Khushab, present Pakistan, and a Gurdwara linked to his grandfather.

Born in Pune, raised in India, son of an Indian Army officer his roots are of undivided India, not Pakistan.

A personal visit… pic.twitter.com/VK2wuCt173

— The News Drill™ (@thenewsdrill) February 5, 2026

Speaking to the locals, Banga said that usually families did not discuss with their children what they had left behind in Pakistan, as they wanted to move on. However, three years before her death, Banga told Pakistanis that his mother told him their past, village and the property the family had left behind.

World Bank President Ajay Pal Singh Banga visits Gurdwara Punja Sahib, joins Langar, and praises Pakistan’s religious harmony, showing faith, tourism, and international goodwill go hand in hand.
pic.twitter.com/S6sW2MBdcq

— Faisal (@faisalpak1stan) February 2, 2026

He said he was deeply touched by the love and warmth of the people there. He also visited a gurdwara built by his grandfather.

World Bank President Mr. Ajay Banga, accompanied by Pakistan’s Finance Minister M. Aurangzeb, MNA @FaisalAminKhan, & KP Finance Advisor @MuzzammilAslam3, visited Jaulian Buddhist Monastery, praising @GovernmentKP & @KITEProjectDoT’s preservation efforts. #KPArchaeology 1/ pic.twitter.com/gDI8wpycqG

— Tourism, Culture, Archaeology & Museums Deptt, KP (@TCAKPGovt) February 2, 2026

He said, though governments could do fancy restoration of monuments, as was done for the Gurdwara built by his maternal grandfather in the village, the warmth and love of people is unmatched and priceless.

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Pakistan is looking for huge loans from the World Bank to deal with its doddering economy