Fund cites robust fiscal efficiency and first present account surplus in 14 years forward of overview talks on Feb 25
IMF Communications Director Julie Kozack addressing a press briefing on Thursday. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB
The Worldwide Financial Fund (IMF) has stated that Pakistan’s coverage efforts below its Prolonged Fund Facility (EFF) programme have “helped stabilise the financial system and rebuild confidence” with fiscal efficiency described as “robust”.
Talking at a weekly press briefing on Thursday, IMF Communications Director Julie Kozack stated a workers crew is predicted to go to Pakistan from February 25 to carry discussions on the third overview below the EFF and the second overview below the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).
From at the moment’s press briefing: I introduced the Managing Director’s journey throughout Asia, and answered questions on Argentina, Egypt, India, Japan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Ukraine, the US, and Venezuela: https://t.co/lvzjNf6mVT
— Julie Kozack, IMF (@IMFSpokesperson) February 19, 2026
Kozack famous that Pakistan at present holds a major fiscal surplus of 1.3% of gross home product (GDP) in fiscal 12 months 2025, which was “in step with programme targets.” Headline inflation has been “comparatively contained,” she added, whereas Pakistan recorded its first present account surplus in 14 years in fiscal 12 months 2025.
She additionally referred to the latest publication of the IMF’s Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Report on Pakistan, which she stated “consists of proposals for reforms, together with simplifying tax coverage design, levelling the enjoying subject for public procurement, and enhancing the asset declaration transparency.”
Learn: IMF overview tied to governance
It was additional acknowledged that the IMF’s overview discussions will assess Pakistan’s progress below the programme and decide the following steps in disbursements tied to reform benchmarks.
The implementation of the Governance and Corruption Diagnostic report and the Nationwide Fiscal Pact will high the agenda of the upcoming overview talks for the discharge of the following mortgage tranches price $1.2 billion.
The worldwide lender’s continued concentrate on areas that, till just a few years in the past, have been handled by non-financial establishments underscores that it now attaches equal significance to areas thought-about the foundation causes of poor governance, tax evasion and the prevalence of corruption in Pakistan.
Learn Extra: IMF discussing electrical energy tariffs revisions with Pakistan
Progress on these plans will decide whether or not the IMF sends a technical help mission to Pakistan, which federal authorities have thus far resisted.
Led by its Mission Chief for Pakistan, Iva Petrova, the IMF crew will first land in Karachi on February 25, the place it is going to maintain unique discussions with the State Financial institution of Pakistan, earlier than continuing to Islamabad.
Talks with the federal and provincial governments are scheduled to start on March 2 and are prone to conclude on March 11.
