IMF Mission Commences First Review of $7 Billion Bailout

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation has arrived in Pakistan to conduct an economic review. Discussions are scheduled to continue until March 15. Negotiations officially began at a private hotel in Islamabad, starting with an introductory session between Finance Ministry officials and IMF representatives. The review process is structured in two phases. The first phase will involve technical and policy-level discussions, while in the second phase, the IMF delegation will present recommendations for Pakistan’s budget for the fiscal year 2025-26. Talks will be held with key institutions, including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Planning, and the State Bank of Pakistan. Additionally, discussions will extend to other regulatory bodies such as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), and the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA). Provincial governments of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan will also engage in separate negotiations with the IMF team. Pakistan has already submitted its half-yearly performance report for the current fiscal year to the IMF with an initial briefing on budgetary targets and achievements. The technical discussions will include a detailed review of this economic report, along with updates on reforms implemented in the energy sector.