Islamabad, Feb 11: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to meet International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva today (Tuesday) in Dubai during the World Governments’ Summit. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb is also expected to join the discussion upon his return. While the exact agenda remains undisclosed, the meeting is crucial as Pakistan prepares for its upcoming review talks with the IMF.
Pakistan and the IMF are scheduled to begin their first review session from March 3 to 14 in Islamabad. The government remains hopeful about securing the next tranche of the loan program, but concerns persist regarding the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) performance and the pending amendments to the Pakistan Sovereign Wealth Fund Act. These factors could play a key role in determining the outcome of the discussions.
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Meanwhile, an IMF governance and corruption assessment team is already in Pakistan, conducting an in-depth evaluation of financial oversight and anti-money laundering measures. The findings of this mission could potentially introduce new conditions to the 40 already agreed upon under the ongoing loan program. Any additional requirements from the IMF may further impact Pakistan’s economic policies and fiscal strategies.
This high-level engagement underscores the significance of Pakistan’s financial stability and its ongoing efforts to meet IMF conditions. The outcome of these talks could shape the country’s economic roadmap in the coming months.
