Pakistan-IMF Talks End, Staff-Level Agreement Expected Soon
Sources said discussions with the IMF delegation concluded on a positive note, while the government continues to implement commitments under the IMF programme.
Talks between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have concluded, with a staff-level agreement expected to be reached soon, according to official sources.
Sources said discussions with the IMF delegation concluded on a positive note, while the government continues to implement commitments under the IMF programme.
Once finalised, the staff-level agreement will be subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board.
Officials said Pakistan is taking measures to strengthen revenue mobilisation while accelerating the privatisation programme as part of broader economic reforms.
The government is also working to reduce losses of electricity distribution companies and contain circular debt in the gas sector.
During the negotiations, Pakistan and the IMF also discussed prevailing oil prices, while the Pakistani side highlighted the burden on consumers from the Rs80-per-litre petroleum levy currently imposed on both petrol and diesel.
The IMF also called for the gas pricing structure to be based on targeted subsidies, according to sources.
The conclusion of the talks brings Pakistan closer to a staff-level agreement, with the next step expected to be its formalisation before the matter proceeds to the IMF Executive Board for approval.
Pakistan has been under a $7 billion, 37-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) since September 2024, when the IMF Executive Board approved the programme. Running through 2027, the programme is aimed at strengthening macroeconomic stability, increasing revenues, reforming the energy sector, reducing losses of state-owned enterprises and rebuilding foreign exchange reserves, with continued IMF financing linked to periodic reviews of Pakistan’s performance against agreed targets.