Islamabad, Dec 4; Pakistan is likely to miss five critical targets set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the disbursement of the second tranche of its loan, according to sources cited by ARY News. Key concerns include the privatization of Distribution Companies (DISCOs), which is feared to remain incomplete by January. The target of maintaining foreign exchange reserves equivalent to three months of import bills by March is also at risk.
Sources indicated that revenue targets may not be met by December, and both the agricultural income tax and the assets declaration program, due by January, are experiencing delays. The government may also fail to impose the agricultural income tax by January 1, which could complicate the ongoing IMF loan program and the subsequent installments.
Additionally, the government’s inability to reduce the petroleum levy has led to a significant rise in petroleum prices. High-speed diesel has increased by Rs 12.14 per liter, and petrol by Rs 5.07 per liter since October, due to IMF program restrictions that prevented the levy reduction.
