Islamabad, Mar 4, 2025: Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) officially commenced formal discussions on Tuesday as part of the first review of the country’s economy under the $7 billion loan program.
The Pakistani delegation, led by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, engaged with the IMF team, headed by Mission Chief Nathan Porter.During the meeting, Pakistani officials presented key economic indicators for the July to February period.
Offering insights into the fiscal deficit, primary balance, provincial surpluses, and revenue collection trends. According to the data shared, the fiscal deficit stood at Rs. 1,537 billion for July-December.
Senior representatives from various finance divisions including the Economic Wing, Budget Wing, External Finance Wing, Regulations Wing, and the Directorate General of Debt actively participated in the discussions.
Additionally, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial provided a detailed briefing on revenue collection trends, with other FBR officials and board members also contributing to the deliberations.
These negotiations hold significant importance as Pakistan seeks to secure the next tranche of IMF funding, ensuring continued financial stability and progress on the lender’s economic reform conditions.
