What's new

IMF board approves $7bn loan programme for Pakistan [Post Updated #474]

SBP receives first installment of $1.26bn loan from IMF​


KARACHI (Dunya News) – The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has received the first installment of loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

According to sources, Pakistan has received $1.269 billion as part of the $7 billion loan agreement.

The funds have been transferred to the SBP ‘s account. The central bank has confirmed the receipt of the instalment, and Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves have increased by $1 billion.

The Fund on Wednesday approved the much-awaited $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Pakistan.

The decision was made during an Executive Board meeting chaired by IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva in Washington, with Pakistan's agenda at the forefront.

Earlier, it was expected that Pakistan would receive the first tranche of $1.1 billion by Sept 30.

Following the approval of the loan programme, the second tranche is also anticipated within the same fiscal year, with the IMF loan being provided at an interest rate of less than 5 per cent.

The Extended Fund Facility loan programme was agreed upon between Pakistan and the IMF on July 12 last.

With the approval of the loan, Pakistan's economic and foreign exchange reserves are expected to improve, and the pressure of payments on Pakistan will decrease.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told media after a meeting with Turk President Tayyip Erdogan that Islamabad had met strict conditions of the IMF and hoped that it would get fiscal assistance to stabilise the country’s economy.

Source: Dunya News
 
Its all IMF's fault! Damn talk about Taqqiya!


DESIGNED to be the international lender of last resort and help countries facing short-run balance-of-payments distress, the IMF has a rich history of being the quack physician that killed the patient.

Driven by myopic market fundamentalism and riddled with policy missteps, its advice and actions have too often in the past proven to be detrimental to the long-run interests of its borrowers, whether in Latin America, East Asia, Greece or Pakistan.
 

SBP receives first installment of $1.26bn loan from IMF​


KARACHI (Dunya News) – The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has received the first installment of loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

According to sources, Pakistan has received $1.269 billion as part of the $7 billion loan agreement.

The funds have been transferred to the SBP ‘s account. The central bank has confirmed the receipt of the instalment, and Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves have increased by $1 billion.

The Fund on Wednesday approved the much-awaited $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Pakistan.

The decision was made during an Executive Board meeting chaired by IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva in Washington, with Pakistan's agenda at the forefront.

Earlier, it was expected that Pakistan would receive the first tranche of $1.1 billion by Sept 30.

Following the approval of the loan programme, the second tranche is also anticipated within the same fiscal year, with the IMF loan being provided at an interest rate of less than 5 per cent.

The Extended Fund Facility loan programme was agreed upon between Pakistan and the IMF on July 12 last.

With the approval of the loan, Pakistan's economic and foreign exchange reserves are expected to improve, and the pressure of payments on Pakistan will decrease.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told media after a meeting with Turk President Tayyip Erdogan that Islamabad had met strict conditions of the IMF and hoped that it would get fiscal assistance to stabilise the country’s economy.

Source: Dunya News
Nice work.

Run an entire country on only loans.

This art...
 
Its all IMF's fault! Damn talk about Taqqiya!


DESIGNED to be the international lender of last resort and help countries facing short-run balance-of-payments distress, the IMF has a rich history of being the quack physician that killed the patient.

Driven by myopic market fundamentalism and riddled with policy missteps, its advice and actions have too often in the past proven to be detrimental to the long-run interests of its borrowers, whether in Latin America, East Asia, Greece or Pakistan.
No one is forcing Pakistan or any country for that matter to go to IMF.
 
Its all IMF's fault! Damn talk about Taqqiya!


DESIGNED to be the international lender of last resort and help countries facing short-run balance-of-payments distress, the IMF has a rich history of being the quack physician that killed the patient.

Driven by myopic market fundamentalism and riddled with policy missteps, its advice and actions have too often in the past proven to be detrimental to the long-run interests of its borrowers, whether in Latin America, East Asia, Greece or Pakistan.
About the author should reflect his grasp of economics: :P

The writer has been a member of several past economic advisory councils under different prime ministers. of Pakistan
 
IMF unveils $7bln loan conditions for Pakistan

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has unveiled new loan conditions for Pakistan, ARY News reported on Friday.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board on September 25 approved Pakistan’s 37-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement of about US$7 billion.

The 37-month Extended Fund Facility arrangement aims to support Pakistan’s economic stability and growth, with key policy goals including sustainable public finances, reduced inflation, and strengthened external buffers.

The conditions were revealed by the International Monetary Fund in a detailed report of a new loan agreement with Pakistan. The IMF in its report has urged the Pakistan government to work to stabilize the macroeconomic situation in line with the loan agreement.

Pakistan’s government has been asked to ensure economic reforms and conducive conditions for the private sector to boost the economy.

The international lender has also urged Pakistan to increase its tax net and slash government spending and expedite reforms in the government-owned entities.


 
Its all IMF's fault! Damn talk about Taqqiya!


DESIGNED to be the international lender of last resort and help countries facing short-run balance-of-payments distress, the IMF has a rich history of being the quack physician that killed the patient.

Driven by myopic market fundamentalism and riddled with policy missteps, its advice and actions have too often in the past proven to be detrimental to the long-run interests of its borrowers, whether in Latin America, East Asia, Greece or Pakistan.
Dont bring Islam into you ****
 
Now the maujaan start for the govt
Exactly, i wish the IMF or ang financial body cease and stop this rubbish. Let the crooks r us cabal die. Better to live in dignity than a dirty.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Pakistan ‘seeks’ additional $2b climate fund from IMF

According to sources, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb will make the request during the annual IMF meetings, scheduled to take place later this month.

This development came after Pakistan’s initial request for climate financing was not immediately approved by the IMF, sources said.

Sources revealed that Pakistan has taken steps to address fiscal sustainability and mobilize revenue, including passing the FY24 budget, which advances a primary surplus of around 0.4 percent of GDP. The government has also committed to ensuring a market-determined exchange rate and reducing inflation.

Furthermore, the Finance Minister will attend the IMF meetings alongside the Secretary of Finance and State Bank officials. The meetings are scheduled to conclude by October 26.

Earlier on September 27, Pakistan requested an additional $1.5 billion loan from IMF to combat the impacts of climate change in the country.

During a meeting with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed the need for urgent action to control climate change in Pakistan.

The loan will support Pakistan’s Climate Resilience and Sustainability Facility, which aims to promote economic stability and sustainable development in the country.

It is important to mention here that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board on September 25 approved Pakistan’s 37-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement of about US$7 billion.

The 37-month Extended Fund Facility arrangement aims to support Pakistan’s economic stability and growth, with key policy goals including sustainable public finances, reduced inflation, and strengthened external buffers.

 

Pakistan seeks $1b from IMF to tackle external economic challenges​


Pakistan is targeting around $1 billion in a formal request for funding from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) facility that helps low and middle income countries manage external shocks, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told Reuters.

“We have formally requested to be considered for this facility,” Aurangzeb said in an interview on the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank autumn meetings in Washington.

The IMF had already agreed a $7 billion bailout for Pakistan, but has further funding available via its Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST).

The RST, created in 2022, provides long-term concessional cash for climate related spending, such as adaptation and transitioning to cleaner energy.

The South Asian nation is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change according to the Global Climate Risk Index.

Floods in 2022, which scientists said was aggravated by global warming, affected at least 33 million people and killed more than 1,700. The country’s economic struggles and high debt burden impinged its ability to respond to the disaster.

Pakistan is also in talks with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank for a credit enhancement for a planned Panda bond, with an initial issue of $200 250 million, Aurangzeb said.

A Panda bond issuance would be Pakistan’s first foray into China’s capital markets. Aurangzeb said they were talking to “a few other institutions” in addition to the AIIB for a credit enhancement.

Issuing in the world’s “second largest and the second deepest” capital market, Aurangzeb said, was the key aim, rather than a particular issuance size.

“From our perspective it is diversification of the funding base,” Aurangzeb. “Even if the inaugural issue is not significant in size, for us it is important that we print that and of course then we can keep it on tap.”

 
how much more will they keep begging? when will Pakistan stand on its own? don't have to be a big economic success, at least wean off this dependency on IMF? I have seen the same script for three or four decades now
 

IMF demands additional revenue measures after Pakistan misses tax targets​


The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked Pakistan to implement extra revenue measures following the Federal Board of Revenue's (FBR) revenue shortfall in the first four months of the fiscal year.

The IMF also declined Pakistan's request to revise down the FBR's tax collection targets.

According to FBR sources cited by Express News, the IMF urged Pakistan to make up for the tax shortfall with additional revenue-raising steps.

During virtual discussions with the IMF, the FBR had sought a downward revision of its tax targets, but the request was denied, sources said.

The FBR’s tax shortfall may impact the disbursement of the second loan tranche, and further measures could be needed if the shortfall grows in the coming months, sources added.

Govt meets only two fiscal conditions

The ministry on Thursday released the fiscal operations summary for the July-September quarter of the current financial year. It showed that Pakistan achieved the IMF targets of primary budget surplus and net revenue collection by the four provinces.

The federal government met the major condition of a primary surplus of Rs198 billion, which in fact crossed Rs3 trillion, or 2.4% of gross domestic product (GDP). The higher surplus was mainly because of fully booking the annual central bank profit in the first quarter.

The entire estimated central bank profit of Rs2.5 trillion has been accounted for in the first quarter, which will be leveled in the coming months.

The report disclosed that Punjab's budget was in the red as it ran a deficit of Rs160 billion in three months. All other provinces enjoyed a cash surplus.

Three conditions related to generating Rs342 billion in cash surplus by the four provinces, collecting Rs10 billion from traders and achieving Rs2.652 trillion in tax target were missed by wide margins.

The Ministry of Finance's report showed that the cumulative target of Rs342 billion in the provincial cash surplus could not be met, thanks to the expansionary fiscal policies of Punjab.

The target was missed by Rs182 billion, or 53%, underscoring serious challenges in implementing a $7 billion IMF programme.

 
IMF, Pakistan wrap up unscheduled talks on $7 billion bailout

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Friday it held constructive talks with authorities in Pakistan on economic policy and reform efforts to reduce vulnerabilities during an unscheduled staff visit.

The unusual visit from Nov 12 to Nov 15 discussed a $7-billion bailout within six weeks of its approval by the IMF board, but came too early for the first review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), due in the first quarter of 2025.

"We are encouraged by the authorities' reaffirmed commitment to the economic reforms supported by the 2024 EFF," Nathan Porter, the chief of the IMF's Pakistan mission, who led the talks, said in a statement.

The constructive discussions on economic policy and reform efforts to reduce vulnerabilities would help to lay the basis for stronger and sustainable growth, he added.

The mission did not state the weaknesses, but sources in Pakistan's finance ministry have said some major lapses prompted the IMF to intervene.

Among these were a shortfall of nearly 190 billion rupees ($685 million) in revenue collection during the first quarter of the current fiscal year.

The period also saw an external financing gap of $2.5 billion, while Pakistan failed in the bid to sell its national airline, a major setback on the path to privatising loss-making state-owned enterprises, required by the IMF.

Losses running into billions of dollars in the power and gas sector, the main hole in the economy, were also discussed, the IMF said, adding that structural energy reforms were critical to restore the sector's viability.

Both sides agreed on the need to continue prudent fiscal and monetary policies, and mobilise revenue from untapped tax bases, the mission added.

Pakistan has struggled for decades with boom-and-bust economic cycles, prompting 23 IMF bailouts for the South Asian nation since 1958.

REUTERS
 
Pakistan Kisan Ittehad announced a countrywide protest in December, against the imposition of agriculture tax on IMF’s demand

The announcement was made by Khalid Mahmood Khokhar, President of the Pakistan Kisan Ittehad. He highlighted that farmers are unable to recover their cost of production, making it increasingly difficult for them to sustain agriculture.

Khokhar clarified that their movement is independent and not aligned with any political party. Criticizing the imposition of agricultural income tax, he remarked that farmers may as well recite Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un.

According to Khokhar, the electricity connections of farmers are being disconnected, further exacerbating their struggles.

Pakistan Kisan Ittehad chief stressed that developed countries provide support prices to protect their agricultural sectors, yet in Pakistan, food security has become the most pressing issue due to neglect by the government.

He also alleged that agriculture is being deliberately undermined under an international agenda. “A short time ago, wheat was imported to fill certain pockets, which has hurt local producers,” he claimed.

Khokhar further revealed that mango production has dropped by 60%, sesame seed production by 70%, and the wheat yield is expected to decline by 20-30%. Meanwhile, cases are being registered against farmers, adding to their woes.

Khokhar demanded that agriculture be made a priority, warning that ignoring the sector would jeopardize the nation’s food security.

 
IMF ‘conditions’ Pakistan’s climate financing with achieving economic targets

Pakistan has stressed the need for climate financing to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), highlighting the country’s vulnerability to climate change, ARY News reported citing sources.

According to sources, the IMF agreed to provide $1 billion in climate financing after the first quarterly economic review, expected to occur in March.

Sources revealed that the climate financing will be part of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) loan program, which will become the largest program in Pakistan’s history once approved.

The economic team and IMF mission will conduct the first quarterly review in March to assess Pakistan’s progress, sources added.

However, recent talks between Pakistan and the IMF mission made little progress on climate financing. The IMF has made the disbursement of climate financing conditional on Pakistan’s implementation of specific targets.

The IMF has agreed to Pakistan’s proposal to allocate 1% of its GDP to climate change expenditure, demonstrating a shared commitment to addressing the climate crisis.

Last week, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said it held constructive talks with authorities in Pakistan on economic policy and reform efforts to reduce vulnerabilities during an unscheduled staff visit.

The unusual visit from Nov 12 to Nov 15 discussed a $7-billion bailout within six weeks of its approval by the IMF board, but came too early for the first review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), due in the first quarter of 2025.

“We are encouraged by the authorities’ reaffirmed commitment to the economic reforms supported by the 2024 EFF,” Nathan Porter, the chief of the IMF’s Pakistan mission, who led the talks, said in a statement.

The constructive discussions on economic policy and reform efforts to reduce vulnerabilities would help to lay the basis for stronger and sustainable growth, he added.

Climate fund

On September 27, Pakistan requested an additional $1.5 billion loan from IMF to combat the impacts of climate change in the country.

During a meeting with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed the need for urgent action to control climate change in Pakistan.

The loan will support Pakistan’s Climate Resilience and Sustainability Facility, which aims to promote economic stability and sustainable development in the country.

It is important to mention here that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board on September 25 approved Pakistan’s 37-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement of about US$7 billion.

The 37-month Extended Fund Facility arrangement aims to support Pakistan’s economic stability and growth, with key policy goals including sustainable public finances, reduced inflation, and strengthened external buffers.

ARY NEWS
 
Slippages to be covered, new IMF representative assured

Pakistan on Thursday reassured the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that it would make up for some earlier slippages before the first biannual review due in February and stay steadfast to subsequent targets for ensuring a smooth and successful completion of the 37-month $7bn programme.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb extended the assurance to the IMF’s new resident representative in Islamabad, Mahir Binici, on Thursday. The minister also assured Mr Binici of “a smooth day-to-day consultation”.

Pakistan has missed at least three targets so far, according to a recent briefing to the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance by the finance minister and the secretary finance that included revenue target, debt maturity and provincial legislations for additional taxes in their domain like agricultural income tax, real estate and sales tax harmonisation.

Some missed targets created concerns for the IMF staff and the government authorities. The federal government has since been gearing up consultations with the provinces to recover the loss amid tepid outcomes from some provinces.

During the meeting with the IMF resident representative, the minister reiterated “Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring a smooth and successful completion of the 37-month programme” of macroeconomic reforms and structural adjustments funded and supported by the IMF, according to an official statement.

The government is very clear that the trust and credibility we have regained over the last 14 months, must be maintained to lay the path for an inclusive and sustainable growth, the minister was quoted as saying. The meeting is believed to have touched on weak areas, missed targets, and how to make up for the loss.

Secretary Finance Imdadullah Bosal had testified before the parliamentary panel that Pakistan “missed” targets relating to the first-quarter revenue target, increasing the weighted average time to maturity condition for domestic debt and provincial legislation — the first two targets for the end of September and the last one for end-October.

While the federal government claim that provinces claim some spending responsibilities from the centre have to be devolved to them in line with the 18th constitutional amendment, including additional contributions for higher education, health, social protection, and regional public infrastructure investment, these are taking time and facing resistance to materialise.

The IMF and the federal government expect the provinces will take steps to increase their own tax-collection efforts in sales tax on services, property tax, and agricultural income tax.

For this, the provinces were required to amend the Agricultural Income Tax (AIT) regimes to fully align them, through necessary legislative changes, with Federal Personal Income (small farmers) and Corporate Income (commercial agriculture) tax regimes by end-October and begin taxation of agricultural income under this new regime from Jan 1, 2025.

The provinces are also expected to transition the services GST from a positive list to a negative list approach to combat tax evasion to take effect from the start of FY26 and aim to collectively raise revenues from corporate tax in Agriculture and GST on services combined with provincial tax effort in expanding additional areas of revenue collection.

They would also develop, implement and collect revenue under a common approach to property taxation and implement the necessary administrative reforms to narrow the tax compliance gap, including for the GST. The National Tax Council’s terms of reference will be expanded to include the design of the relevant tax measures, including property tax, and the necessary legal and administrative changes to implement them.

On the spending side, the provinces “shall provide additional contributions for Higher Education to the Federal Government supported initiatives of the Higher Education Commission (HEC). Federal and provincial governments shall gradually rebuild spending on health and education programs as a share of GDP”.

DAWN NEWS
 
UK envoy urges Pakistan to implement IMF-agreed reforms

British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott on Monday urged Pakistan to fully implement its commitments to economic reforms under the IMF agreement, cautioning that failure to do so could jeopardise access to critical loan disbursements.

Speaking at the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), she said “full implementation of all reform commitments will be essential. Otherwise there is very significant risk that Pakistan will lose access to IMF disbursement which is essential for economy and national stability”.

She feared economic achievements made over the past year-and-a-half could encourage the government to provide relief to the public, which could affect the reforms process.

In September, the IMF approved a $7 billion loan programme for Pakistan. The Fund demanded tough reforms, including fiscal discipline, tax policy overhauls, and governance improvements.

Ms Marriott emphasised the need for political will to implement reforms and clear communication with the public to navigate the difficulties associated with reform measures.

The high commissioner called for transparency in renegotiating contracts with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to preserve investor confidence while recommending a universal application of renegotiation principles.

Ms Marriott expressed concern over Pakistan’s ongoing internet slowdown, which the IT industry association has warned could drive IT firms and freelancers out of the country.

She urged authorities to devise practical solutions to address the issue, underscoring the sector’s importance to the national economy.

Responding to a question about legal proceedings against former prime minister Imran Khan, the UK high commissioner declined to comment directly, but underscored the importance of a transparent and fair legal process.

 

IMF-induced relative economic stability restored in 2024​


In 2024, Pakistan narrowly avoided a sovereign default and managed to stabilize the economy on the back of yet another International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout package. But the New Year is roaring with challenges of retaining duty-free access to European markets and handling any policy shift by the United States.

Pakistan's marginalized salaried class was pushed to the edge after, in a highly unjustifiable decision, the government and the IMF increased its tax burden to an unbearable level of 39%, forcing many people to think about their plans for the future. As a result, in July through November, the salaried class's tax payments phenomenally jumped by 57% to Rs198 billion.

The economic decision-making remained fragmented between the dwellers of the Q Block -the seat of the Finance Ministry, Prime Minister's Office and the Deputy Prime Minister Office.

The government appointed Muhammad Aurangzeb as the country's new Finance Minister who secured Pakistani nationality after taking oath of office. But the banker turned politician lost significant control to Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar who gradually sneaked into the economic decision-making. Ishaq Dar is now taking decisions from gas imports to development budget approvals and taxation matters.

Like the previous years, 2024 was not different in terms of economic challenges. The security and political problems compounded manifold, which made it difficult to bring in any foreign investment coupled with inconsistent economic policies. The Special Investment Facilitation Council too failed to bring any foreign direct investment in 2024 -its second year of existence.

After prolonged parlays spanning over months, the board of the IMF approved a $7 billion Extended Fund Facility -the nation's 25th bailout package. The bailout did provide an umbrella to temporarily avoid default by seeking rollovers of about $17 billion or 70% of Pakistan's external debt related obligations.

Both the IMF and the federal government took a shorter path of deferring the liabilities instead of taking the tough but sustainable route of debt restructuring. As a result, the default threat would keep looming and Pakistan will be compelled to stay in the IMF programme for a longer period to avert the eventuality.

The government could not effectively negotiate with the IMF and signed on the conditions, many of which cannot be implemented without setbacks. Soon after the approval of the programme, the IMF had to send an emergency mission to Pakistan to review the implementation status.

Various government departments have started speaking against the IMF conditions. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) was the first one, which argued that its nearly Rs13 trillion tax target had been agreed on the basis of wrong assumptions. Resultantly, the first half's goal was missed by a wide margin.

The Petroleum Division also came forward and told the Prime Minister that the condition related to ending subsidized gas to the industries was met despite its reservations. The Ministry of National Food Security and Agriculture also said that it was overruled on the issue of ending agriculture support price mechanisms. So were the provinces, which have shown reluctance to increase agriculture income tax rates to 45% under the IMF deal.

One of the reasons for the current situation was lack of political wisdom and role in finalizing the IMF deal. The traders have again been protected despite the government agreeing with the IMF that it would collect Rs50 billion under a new scheme from them during the fiscal year 2024-25. The scheme has failed soon after its inception, so has the target.
.
But the Finance Ministry has managed to keep the fiscal side under control on the back of higher non-tax payments. The expenditures are still growing at a rate of 20% and the Prime Minister's promise to reduce the size of the government remains unfulfilled. Not even a single ministry or division was closed down during the first 10 months of Shehbaz Sharif's government.

The external sector shows some stability due to a controlled import regime and lower than actual value of the rupee that shut down the doors for the informal market of export and remittances receipts. The exporter and the foreign remitter received about Rs40 per dollar high price due to a Rs278 to a dollar parity.

Experts like Ashfaq Tola former Minister of State -and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar have said that the rupee-dollar parity is not more than Rs240 to a dollar in 2024.

But the stable rupee throughout the year irrespective of the price helped lower the inflation rate, which finally came down to an over six-year low level. This brought stability in the markets but the people did not get much relief due to the already elevated level of prices.

There were no additional opportunities for employment creation and economic growth. The political and economic instability pushed many young people to leave the country.

The government could not fix the power sector and the unbearable electricity bills, coupled with high taxation and low benefits, created serious troubles for Pakistan's low to upper middle income groups. The poorer remained poorer in the absence of any new economic opportunities. The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) only helped to lower the price pressure as the programme is never meant to lift people out of poverty.

In self-inflicted wounds, the federal government spent Rs39 billion to erect a social media firewall, which slowed down the internet speed and damaged the digital economy. The freelancers and the service providers relying on the internet badly suffered.

Pakistan's weak economic and political position coupled with geo strategic alignments further complicated matters. The European Union (EU) issued its first warning to review the duty-free access status of Pakistan after the military courts convicted dozens of political activists of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on charges of attacking military installations.

The EU claimed that these convictions were in breach of Pakistan's commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Foreign Office (FO) denies that the government violated its commitments under the GSP plus regime.

The upcoming Donald Trump administration may be a matter of concern for the Pakistani authorities. Pakistan completed its last Extended Fund Facility programme due to nearly one and half dozen waivers that it got with the help of the US authorities during the 2013-16 period.

There are chances that the country may not be in a position to implement all the conditions agreed with the IMF under the new programme. The question is will there be a friendly government in Washington to help Islamabad secure favourable outcomes from the IMF board. The answer is not a straightforward one. The indications are that without any leverage, it will be difficult to win over Washington.

The first test will be in February-March when the IMF will hold its first programme review.

Overall, 2025 will not be different from 2024 because of low chances for any room to economically grow and create job opportunities. If the government tries to accelerate growth through debt funding, it will risk both the IMF programme and the hard-earned relative economic stability.

 
Pakistan achieves targets set by IMF, achieves 10.8% tax-to-GDP ratio

Pakistan has successfully achieved its key tax targets set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The tax-to-GDP ratio has reached 10.8%, surpassing this year’s target of 10.6%.

According to the Adviser to the Finance Minister Khurram Shahzad, this is the highest tax-to-GDP ratio recorded in the past four years. The tax target of Rs6,009 billion for the first half of the fiscal year was also achieved by 94%, he added.

In the first half of the fiscal year, from July to December, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) collected Rs5,624 billion in taxes, reflecting a 26% increase compared to the same period last year. December’s tax collection stood at Rs1,328 billion, achieving 97% of the target of Rs1,373 billion for the month. Last month alone witnessed a 35% increase in tax collection compared to the same month last year.

Despite a shortfall of Rs385 billion against the initial half-year target, FBR officials noted a significant improvement in revenue performance.

Officials claimed that the IMF has expressed satisfaction with Pakistan’s progress in tax-to-GDP growth. They confirmed that there is no immediate need for additional tax measures or a mini-budget to meet the annual target.

The overall tax collection target for the current fiscal year is set at Rs12,970 billion. To bridge the shortfall, the FBR aims to collect Rs7,346 billion during the second half of the year, from January to June.

Breaking down the revenue figures, income tax collections totalled Rs2,827 billion in the first six months, while sales tax collections amounted to Rs2,105 billion. Customs duty revenues reached Rs617.3 billion, and federal excise duty collections were recorded at Rs346.6 billion. Additionally, tax refunds worth Rs70 billion were issued between July and December, providing relief to taxpayers.

SAMAA NEWS
 
IMF wants strict levy on captive power plants

Showing no flexibility towards changing a key structural benchmark, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked the government to impose a substantial levy on gas supply to industrial captive power plants (CPPs) to eliminate any cost benefit between the grid power and their in-house electricity generation.

Under the $7bn Extended Fund Facility (EFF) signed in September last year, Pakistan has to deliver on one of the major structural benchmarks that required gas disconnections to CPPs by the end of January 2025 to qualify for disbursement of the second of the seven $1bn tranches in March. The two sides will meet for the first biannual review in the second half of February.

“We will end captive power usage by end-January 2025 (structural benchmark),” reads the sovereign agreement signed by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and the State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmad with the IMF in September last year.

Pushed by the influential industrial sector led by textile exporters and gas utilities, particularly Lahore-based Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, the petroleum division has since been advocating for a reversal of this commitment on the grounds that this was creating surplus LNG in the system at a substantial loss to the entire LNG supply chain, from imports to the consumer end.

Officials in the petroleum division and gas companies claim that there is a surplus of around 50 cargoes per year or close to 250 cargoes in five years. Industrial units, on the other hand, claim a loss of export competitiveness in case of gas-LNG disconnection.

Officials said Pakistan tried to convince the IMF to change the structural benchmark on the grounds that there were some challenges to electricity grid stability and supplies. The IMF did not show any flexibility about the programme benchmark and instead suggested the imposition of Rs1,700-1,800 per unit (million British thermal units or mmBtu) on top of the prevailing LNG price for CPPs in case of electricity supply challenge, according to gas sector sources involved in these talks.

That takes the gas price to CPPs to around Rs5,000 per unit from around Rs2,800 to Rs3,200, depending on global oil prices. “This is not acceptable to industrial consumers. They would rather shift to alternate fuels or even use coal or burn old tyres,” the official said, adding that industrial units and gas companies were being sacrificed for the whims of a few and the survival of an ailing power sector.

A finance ministry official confirmed that the IMF structural benchmark was intact. “There is no change as of now. We have to deliver on our commitment,” he said, adding that IMF did not quote the amount of the levy but conceded that even at the current gas price, CPPs had an advantage of more than Rs1,500 per million cubic feet per day (mmcfd).

The IMF has demanded that the gas supply to CPPs be “disincentivised” in a manner that distortion between the power supply from the national grid and in-house generation through captive plants is eliminated, where the power supply was a problem.

“They (CPPs) should shift to the electricity grid or pay its equivalent price. Gas incentive should end,” he said, summarising the IMF stance.

The Ministry of Finance has given a written commitment to the IMF that prices for captive power users will continue to be increased where network distribution and reliability are present, whereas other captive power users should make the transition to the electricity grid by the end of this year.

Interestingly, Petroleum Minister Dr Musadik Malik had recently blamed the caretaker government for tying its hands in sovereign agreements for the termination of gas supplies to industrial CPPs “against the national interests, economic viability” and even accounting considerations“.

The minister had said that the IMF was being convinced to give up demand for gas disconnection to CPPs.

The gas companies claim that gas supply disconnection to industrial CPPs was a recipe for formal default of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and two gas companies — SNGPL and SSGCL as their combined estimated losses would go beyond Rs400bn per year.

They complain that some powerful bureaucrats had transferred power companies’ liabilities to the petroleum sector to ensure that power sector balance sheets and circular debt look good.

It was reported that over $6bn LNG-related infrastructure investment and around $4bn worth of annual LNG supply chain was put in place on the premise that RLNG would be utilised in “must-run power plants”, but these commitments were gradually diluted to 66pc “take or pay”, then to 33pc and then ultimately to the closure of power plants.

The power sector’s circular debt had, therefore, stabilised to a large extent but proportionately developed in the gas sector. On top of the receiving end is PSO, which is bound by a sovereign contract to receive LNG from Qatar on “take or pay”.

The two gas companies are unable to make payments to PSO for LNG offtake and have been further declining throughput.

 

IMF rejects govt proposal to cut sales tax on electricity bills​


The Pakistani government has been unsuccessful in convincing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to agree to a reduction in sales tax on electricity bills.

According to sources, the IMF rejected a request from Pakistan’s Ministry of Energy, which had asked for a reduction in sales tax to alleviate the financial burden on consumers.

The IMF's decision came after the Ministry of Energy made a formal request to the Fund, seeking approval for a decrease in sales tax rates on electricity bills, Express News reported.

However, the IMF maintained that, under the current loan programme, no exemptions or reductions could be granted for new taxes.

It was also clarified by IMF officials that reducing sales tax would hinder Pakistan’s ability to meet its tax collection targets.

Currently, Pakistan imposes an 18% Goods and Services Tax (GST) twice on electricity bills. The first tax is applied to the total bill amount, while the second is levied on fuel cost adjustments.

Earlier, the federal government has made a key decision to meet another significant condition set by the IMF, agreeing to impose a levy on captive power plants before the release of the next tranche of funding.

According to sources, the government has made preparations to implement this levy on captive power plants, which will be applied gradually to prevent a significant reduction in gas supply to these plants.

Sources indicated that the IMF has shown flexibility on the issue of gas cuts to captive power plants, and the levy will be introduced before the next IMF tranche is disbursed.

 
IMF agrees to end 18pc GST on new aircraft, NA panel told

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Privatisation was informed on Thursday that the International Monitory Fund (IMF) has agreed to the removal of 18 per cent GST on the purchase of new aircraft and cleaning of Rs45 billion negative equity of Pakistan International Airline Company Limited (PIACL).

A meeting of the committee was further informed that it was decided to capitalise on positive momentum generated by IMF’s consent on critical tasks, opening up of European routes and to avoid further loss to national exchequer; it was decided to go for fresh expression of interest (EoI) at the earliest.

It has been decided that the losses of the national flag carrier will be transferred to the Holding Company, making PIA free of liabilities and attractive and lucrative for investors who had been otherwise shy in acquiring the national flag carrier due to the losses.

The committee meeting, chaired by Muhammad Farooq Sattar, appointed a sub-committee under the convenorship of MNA Seher Kamran to look into the reasons for the decline of PIACL. The sub-committee, comprising Khawaja Sheraz Mehmood, Saba Sadiq and Asia Naz Tanoli, has been asked to submit its report within 30 days.

The committee discussed the Privatisation Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and decided to defer it.

Pakistan International Airlines remains on the top of the list of 24 public sector entities included in the government’s privatisation programme (2024-29).

On the issue of House Building Finance Corporation (HBFC), the secretary of privatisation commission informed the committee that agreement on the privatisation of the corporation has been finalised, and approval will be sought from the privatisation board and the cabinet committee on privatisation.

The secretary further informed that the bidder interested in buying HBCF has agreed to the terms while the minimum price will be set by the board and the cabinet committee on privatisation.

DAWN NEWS
 

IMF mission to meet JCP, SC representatives​

ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund has sent a mission to Pakistan to undertake a comprehensive governance and corruption assessment, including a review of the process of appointment of judges, judicial integrity and its independence.

The first of its kind detailed mission -- Pakistan Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Assessment -- began its work on Thursday. It will conclude the exercise on February 14, the government and the diplomatic sources told The Express Tribune.

During its stay in Pakistan, the IMF team will meet with the representatives of at least 19 government ministries, departments and state organs, including with the Judicial Commission of Pakistan and the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

The focus of the mission remains on rule of law, anti-corruption, financial oversight, eradicating well-entrenched vested interests in the state's governance structure and combating money laundering, according to the sources.

The mission had been planned in September last year, but it came at a critical time when the judges of the Islamabad High Court and the Supreme Court of Pakistan have raised concerns about the appointment process of judges in the superior judiciary.

The 26th Constitutional Amendment has brought fundamental changes in the process of the appointment of the judges, giving a role to the politicians in the selection process.

The sources said that the mission will hold a meeting with the judicial commission next week and discuss the process of appointment of judges. It also plans to meet with the Supreme Court of Pakistan to make an assessment about the judicial integrity and independence -- the two areas that are critical.

The mission will finalise its assessment and its report will be published by July 2025. Under the $7 billion deal, Pakistan is obligated to publish the full report of the Governance and Corruption Diagnosis by July.

Pakistan has also committed with the IMF that with the capacity development support of the global lender, it "will undertake a Governance and Corruption Diagnosis Assessment to analyze critical governance and corruption vulnerabilities and identify priority structural reforms moving forward".

The IMF will meet with the National Accountability Bureau to discuss the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, Nature and Severity of Corruption, Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement, including money-laundering investigation and prosecution.

"Effective governance frameworks and independent anti-corruption institutions are critical to overcoming poor policy making, mitigating undue influence of vested interests, and sustaining hard-fought structural reforms," according to the IMF.

The IMF said that Pakistan's vulnerabilities and structural challenges remain formidable. A difficult business environment, weak governance, and an outsized role of the state hinder investment, which remains very low compared to peers.

The IMF is also meeting with the Financial Monitoring Unit to make an assessment about the suspicious transactions reporting from the obligated entities, dissemination of financial intelligence, resources and capacity to tackle these challenges.

Another main focus of the mission is the money laundering proceeds of domestic corruption and whether Pakistan has any effective risk mitigation strategy and action plan to overpower this challenge.

The mission will meet with the National Anti-Money Laundering Authority and Combating Financing of Terrorism Authority. The sources said that the focus of the discussion will be the money laundering proceeds of domestic corruption.

A crucial meeting will take place with the Ministry of Law and Justice to make an assessment about the status of the rule of law. The IMF will make an assessment about the need for any legal reforms to ensure the rule of law through the independence of judiciary, property rights protection and contract enforcement.

The mission will have multiple meetings with the State Bank of Pakistan, some of those have already taken place this week, said the sources. The central bank has given an overview of the key challenges and reform priorities related to governance and anti-corruption of SBP, banking sector and its supervision.

The central bank's legal framework and governance arrangements have also been discussed and further discussions will take place on the current laws and any need to amend those to improve governance.

The mission will undertake the review of the banking policy group's organization, regulatory decision-making; regulatory framework, including for governance-related topics; and the regulatory framework for state-owned banks.

The central bank is often seen as protecting the interests of the commercial banks at the expense of the depositors and the economy. It has not taken effective and meaningful actions against the commercial banks for their involvement in a money laundering scam through the import of solar panels. The banks were also not punished two years ago when they manipulated the price of the US currency against the rupee.

The IMF mission will also ask for a briefing on the banking supervision, organization, resourcing, information technology systems, legal protection for supervisors, and supervisory decision-taking. It will review the supervisory framework for corporate governance and transactions with related parties and other governance-related topics; supervision of state-owned banks.

The Islamic banking and the anti-money laundering and combating of financing of terrorism, the banking payment system, the government and banks' arrangement and the treasury single account issue will also come under the review, said the sources.

The IMF will have multiple meetings with the FBR with a main focus on utilization of asset declaration databases, money laundering supervision and preventive measures by Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs). The IMF will review the governance risks in tax policy making and implementation.

A meeting will take place with the Federal Land Commission to assess the governance parameters in the land management.

It has scheduled meetings with the Ministry of Climate Change, Ministry of Housing to ensure property rights are protected and with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan. The SECP meetings will focus on beneficial ownership related transparency for companies and their supervision and preventive measures against money laundering by non-banking financial institutions.

The IMF will meet with the department of the Auditor General of Pakistan, the Establishment Division to review its Anti-Corruption structure for asset declaration system of the bureaucrats and with the National Disaster Management Authority to climate Adaptation Policies and Projects.

The IMF will meet with the Privatization Commission to assess the SOEs and various managed funds.

Multiple meetings are also planned with the Finance Ministry to have an overview of the budget preparation and execution and current reforms; overview of the treasury functions including budget execution, accounting, TSA, cash management, and debt management.

The Ministry of Planning meeting will focus on Public Investment Management, Public Sector Development Programme and the Public Private Partnership arrangements

A meeting is also planned with the Ministry of Economic Affairs to discuss external debt, coordination of debt management with the Ministry of Finance including debt data collection and publication.

Source: The Express Tribune
 
IMF team in Pakistan to discuss governance reforms, anti-corruption

A team of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been on Pakistan’s visit to discuss governance reforms and strengthening the anti-corruption mechanism.

The IMF mission that arrived in Islamabad on Feb 6, expected to stay here up to February 14.

The Ministry of Law will brief the IMF team with regard to legislation to curb corruption, sources said.

The mission will also be briefed about enforcement of FATF targets. The IMF delegation will hold meetings with the officials of NAB, judiciary, various institutions and ministries.

The anti-corruption and anti-money laundering measures are also conditions for the seven billion dollars bailout package for Pakistan.

The IMF team likely to meet the officials of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan and the Supreme Court. The independence of judiciary and the mechanism of the appointment of judges likely to be discussed in the meeting.

The IMF mission’s visit meant to review the rule of law, anti-graft and anti-money laundering measures.

Sources said that to look into the independence of judiciary has also been the mandate of the delegation.

The IMF’s review mission is expected to come to Islamabad probably in February for holding talks for the first review of the 7 billion dollars bailout package.

 
Finance ministry issues clarification on IMF mission visiting Pakistan

“This Press Release aims to add clarity to reports circulating in the media regarding an International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) mission visiting Pakistan for conducting a Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Assessment,” the ministry’s clarification read.

It added that the IMF has long provided advice and technical assistance that has helped to foster good governance, such as promoting public sector transparency and accountability.

“Traditionally the IMF’s main focus has been on encouraging countries to correct macroeconomic imbalances, reduce inflation, and undertake key trade, exchange, and other market reforms needed to improve efficiency and support sustained economic growth. While these remain its main focus in all its member countries, however the IMF has found that a much broader range of institutional reforms is needed if countries are to establish and maintain private sector confidence and thereby lay the basis for sustained growth.”

The clarification read that the IMF identified that promoting good governance in all its aspects, including ensuring the rule of law, improving the efficiency and accountability of the public sector, and tackling corruption are essential elements of a framework within which economies can prosper.

“In 1997, the IMF adopted a policy on how to address economic governance, embodied in the Guidance Note “The Role of the IMF in Governance Issues”. To further strengthen the implementation of this policy, the IMF adopted in 2018 a new Framework for Enhanced Engagement on Governance (Governance Policy) that aims to promote more systematic, effective, candid, and evenhanded engagement with member countries regarding governance vulnerabilities—including corruption—that are critical to macroeconomic performance.”

It added, “Under this policy and framework, IMF offers to undertake Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Assessment (GCDA) with member countries to analyze and recommend actions for addressing corruption vulnerabilities and strengthening integrity & governance in IMF member countries.”

The Ministry of Finance added that following the analysis, GCDAs prioritise and sequence recommendations for systematically addressing the vulnerabilities.

“Since 2018, twenty [20] GCDA Reports were finalized and include Sri-Lanka, Mauritania, Cameroon, Zambia, and Benin. Ten Diagnostics are ongoing, and several are under consideration by IMF.”

It added that in line with this commitment, three member IMF scoping mission is visiting Pakistan to undertake the GCD Assessment.

“The focus of the mission will be to examine the severity of corruption vulnerabilities across six core state functions. These include fiscal governance, central bank governance and operations, financial sector oversight, market regulation, rule of law, and AML-CFT. The mission will mainly engage with organizations like Finance Division, Federal Board of Revenue, State Bank of Pakistan, Auditor General of Pakistan, Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan, Election Commission of Pakistan and Ministry of Law & Justice.”

The clarification added, “The GCDA report will recommend actions for addressing corruption vulnerabilities and strengthening integrity & governance, which will assist the government in bringing about reforms for promoting transparency, strengthening institutional capacities and achieving inclusive & sustainable economic growth. The Government of Pakistan appreciates the technical support of IMF in this regard.”

 
IMF seeks details of programme implementation, property rights in meeting with CJP

The International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s technical team, which is in Pakistan to scrutinise the judicial and regulatory system for the $7 billion bailout deal, sought details regarding programme implementation and property rights in a meeting with the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Yahya Afridi on Tuesday.

The IMF team is visiting the country for a week-long scrutiny of the judicial and regulatory system as part of the ongoing $7bn Extended Fund Facility (EFF) to address governance and corruption vulnerabilities.

It will examine six key governance-related sectors and institutions, according to a statement from the Ministry of Finance.

While speaking to journalists after the meeting, CJP Yahya Afridi said that a six-member team had sought details regarding the programme’s implementation and property rights.

“I told the IMF that it has come to Pakistan at the best time,” he said, adding that the judges told the team about judicial reforms and the National Judicial Policy.

CJP Afridi also said, “We have asked both the government and the opposition for an agenda for judicial reforms.”

Additionally, CJP Afridi highlighted that the team also made “suggestions regarding the protection of property rights”.

“I also talked about the National Judicial Policy-Making Committee — I told the delegation that we will make suggestions, we will create benches for early hearing in the high courts,” he stated. “I told the delegation that what they’re saying should be bilateral.”

Meanwhile, the delegation, according to the CJP, insisted that it wanted to protect foreign investment in the country.

Moreover, CJP Afridi said he also told the team that it was not the judges’ job to “disclose all the details”, underscoring that they had taken “an oath of independence of the judiciary under the Constitution”.

“I told the delegation about the agenda of the National Judicial Policy Making Committee, I told the delegation that the subordinate judiciary is supervised by the high courts,” he added.

Pakistan made a commitment with the IMF in October to strengthen institutional capacities to fight corruption, support inclusive growth, and provide a level playing field for businesses and investments.

DAWN NEWS
 

IMF condition fulfilled: Govt okays law requiring civil servants to declare all assets​


The federal government has fulfilled another condition of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by approving a law requiring government employees to declare their assets.

The federal cabinet has endorsed an amendment to Section 15 of the Civil Servants Act, introducing a new clause, 15-A, to regulate and monitor the financial conduct of civil servants.

Under this law, details of government officials' assets will be made publicly available on a designated website.

The officers from Grade 17 to 22 will be obligated to disclose their personal and family assets, including domestic and foreign holdings.

Additionally, civil servants will be required to declare their financial status through the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), while the Establishment Division will have access to asset details.

The government has assured that while the data will be accessible, strict privacy measures will be in place to protect sensitive personal information, including identity numbers, residential addresses, bank account details, and bond numbers.

 
Lawmakers continue to question IMF’s meeting with CJP

The controversy surrounding an IMF delegation’s meeting with the Chief Justice of Pakistan reached the Senate on Thursday, with Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar revealing that the new scheme under the 26th constitutional amendment was also discussed during the meeting.

Speaking on a point of order, JUI-F parliamentary leader Kamran Murtaza questioned the legality of the meeting, arguing that even members of the executive cannot meet the head of the judiciary or judges.

Responding to the concerns, Mr Tarar said the chief justice, as the head of the judiciary, oversees several functions.

The IMF delegation had sought an audience with the chief justice, Mr Tarar added, also referring to letters written to the IMF by a political party.

Leader of the Opposition Shibli Faraz also voiced concern and pointed to reports suggesting that the IMF delegation also intends to meet the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Speaking in the context of the first anniversary of general elections a few days ago, Mr Faraz alleged that the Election Commission subverted the Constitution by holding delayed elections. He said that under the Constitution, the elections were to take place within 90 days after the dissolution of the National Assembly.

He claimed that a level playing field was denied to the PTI by the ECP, which he said ignored its constitutional responsibility of holding free and fair elections.

Mr Faraz claimed that those in power had not been given a mandate by the people, and they continue to legislate to consolidate their power.

He specifically mentioned the removal of the legal requirement for electronic voting machines (EVMs), the amendment to NAB laws to save the skin of PML-N and PPP leadership, the 26th constitutional amendment and changes to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca).

Rare political consensus

Earlier in the session, the PML-N, PTI and PPP set aside their differences to support the ANP demand to hold a public gathering at Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh.

PML-N parliamentary leader Irfan Siddiqui, PTI’s Shibli Faraz, and PPP’s parliamentary leader Sherry Rehman backed ANP’s Senator Haji Hidayat Ullah, who rose to complain that the party had applied to the Punjab government 15 days back for the political event but had yet to receive a response.

He raised the matter on a point of public importance and explained that the ANP wanted to observe the death anniversaries of Bacha Khan and Khan Abdul Wali Khan at Liaquat Bagh on Feb 14 and were prepared to give any assurance to remain peaceful during the meeting. He noted that ANP had engaged with the district administration earlier in the day, but no decision had been made regarding permission for the gathering.

Senator Hidayat Ullah noted that his party leader, Aimal Wali Khan, had drawn the attention of the federal government, the Ministry of Interior and Law Minister Tarar.

Backing ANP’s demand, Shibli Faraz stressed that all political parties had the right to organise public meetings and accused the authorities of restricting political activities. He claimed that PTI had faced similar obstacles, including being denied permission for a Feb 8 gathering in Lahore.

PPP’s Ms Rehman also extended support, stating that ANP had the right to hold peaceful gatherings. She said PML-N should inform them about the public meeting so that it could be arranged or settled.

In his response, Irfan Siddiqui acknowledged that ANP had a good democratic record, having never resorted to violence or torching properties, as their public meetings are always peaceful, posing a threat to none.

Meanwhile, due to the absence of ministers, the question hour was not held, and all questions were deferred to Friday’s session.

DAWN NEWS
 
@Cpt. Rishwat - A question here. When will Pakistan stop using the begging bowl? Nowhere have I seen even dirt poor countries staying afloat on alms like Pakistan does.
 
Call for ending graft to attract investment

A visiting IMF mission on Friday called on the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council’s (PBC) special committee on judicial reforms, and discussed with them a wide range of topics with primary focus on eradicating corrupt practices to create an inclusive environment for attracting foreign investment to Pakistan.

The meeting between the IMF’s Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Assessment team and SCBA President Mian Muhammad Rauf Atta and PBC committee’s chairman Hassan Raza Pasha lasted over an hour.

According to an SCBA announcement, Mr Atta spoke about shortcomings in the judicial system such as the backlog of cases in lower and district courts, the insufficient number of judges, inefficiencies within departments, and potential measures like Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) system to alleviate the burden on courts and enhance public access to justice.

Various strategies were discussed to combat corruption in government departments, promote good governance, and implement legal reforms that would benefit the judicial hierarchy, it said, terming the proposed strategies essential for fostering a stronger and more vibrant economy as well as an efficient judicial system.

The SCBA president emphasised the need for measures to eradicating financial crimes to boost the economy. He noted that a system of punishment and reward was already in place within the judiciary, where the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC)addresses complaints against the judges of higher judiciary while respective high courts handle issues related to district judges.

Mr Atta cited the example of a Supreme Court judge who was removed over a complaint filed with the SJC last year.

He described the rule of law as the cornerstone of a democratic society and reaffirmed his commitment to uphold it, along with the SCBA’s dedication to the Constitution, the supremacy of institutions, and the independence of judiciary.

The meeting concluded with both sides expressing gratitude and a desire for more such meetings in the future.

SCBA’s Additional Secretary Mohammad Aurangzeb Khan and Balochistan High Court Bar Association President Mir Attaullah Langove also attended the meeting.

The discussion also revolved around legal matters and backlog of cases in superior courts and the implementation of legal reforms for an efficient working of the judicial system.

The IMF mission expressed its concerns that business matters, particularly relating to investments, remain pending for a long time as decisions are not made timely, which ultimately affects the country’s economy.

Mr Pasha informed the visiting team that cases, including the business matters, would be resolved through mediation and ADR, under which the parties may resolve their matters without delay.

Both the government and superior courts had supported it, he said and expressed the hope that it would improve the efficiency of courts, reduce the backlog of cases and help the economy to grow.

The PBC committee’s president suggested that the strength of judges at the lower judiciary should be enhanced to finish the backlog of cases.

Mr Pasha urged the IMF officials to soften the conditions imposed upon Pakistan under which the government has imposed heavy taxes so that the latter could reduce the taxes for the ultimate benefit of people. Due to heavy taxes, he added, the common man is facing difficulties in the shape of price hike.

DAWN NEWS
 
IMF appreciates govt commitment to governance, corruption assessment

A mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that recently visited Pakistan to evaluate the country’s governance has said it appreciated the government’s commitment to such assessments, it emerged on Saturday.

A technical mission of the IMF was in Pakistan earlier this month to scrutinise the judicial and regulatory system as part of the ongoing $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) to address governance and corruption vulnerabilities.

During the visit, a delegation led by Joel Turkewitz discussed judicial performance, governance and reforms in a meeting with Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi.

In a recent statement posted on its website, the IMF recalled that its scoping mission visited Islamabad from February 6 to 14 “to lay the groundwork for a Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Assessment (GCD) at the request” of the government.

’The IMF appreciates the commitment of the Government of Pakistan to this exercise and looks forward to continuing our collaboration,“ it stated.

The IMF further announced that its scoping team for the GCD assessment will “return to Pakistan later in this year to continue gathering information and exploring opportunities to strengthen governance and integrity, and economic outcomes in preparation for the eventual assessment”.

The Fund noted that the mission’s focus was to preliminarily assess governance and corruption vulnerabilities across six core state functions.

“These include fiscal governance, central bank governance and operations, financial sector oversight, market regulation, rule of law, and anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML-CFT).”

During its visit, the team engaged with the Finance Division, the Federal Board of Revenue, the State Bank of Pakistan, the Auditor General of Pakistan, the Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan, the Ministry of Law & Justice, and the Supreme Court, the IMF said.

“In addition, the IMF team met with a range of other stakeholders, including business associations, civil society organisations, and international development partners.”

IMF missions expected next week, in March

Pakistan is expecting two more policy-level IMF staff missions on talks for more than $1bn additional financing for climate resilience and a review of the ongoing $7bn loan programme.

Pakistan made a formal request in October last year for around $1bn in funding from the IMF under the Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RSF) to address the nation’s vulnerability to climate change.

In a statement, Mahir Binici, the Fund’s resident representative in Islamabad, confirmed that an IMF staff team was “scheduled to visit Pakistan in early to mid-March for discussions around the first review under Pakistan’s Extended Fund Facility-supported programme and the authorities’ request for assistance” under an RSF arrangement.

Referring to the mission scheduled for February 24 to 28, according to Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Binici said: “In this regard, a technical team will be in Pakistan starting in late February to discuss technical issues related to a possible RSF arrangement.”

The funding under RSF is made available to nations who commit to high-quality reforms to build resilience against climate catastrophes through adaptation.

It is repayable over 30 years, including a 10-year grace, and is normally cheaper than terms for an EFF, such as the $7bn loan programme with Pakistan which is underway.

SOURCE: https://www.dawn.com/news/1893592/i...ommitment-to-governance-corruption-assessment
 

IMF mission to arrive in Pakistan on March 3 for review talks​


A nine-member International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission, led by Nathan Porter, is set to arrive in Pakistan on March 3 to conduct a crucial economic review.

The talks will continue until March 15 and will play a key role in shaping the country’s 2025-26 fiscal policies.

According to finance ministry sources, the negotiations will be held in two phases—technical-level discussions followed by policy-level talks.

The mission will engage with officials from the finance ministry, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), and National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), among others.

A key issue on the agenda is tax relief for the salaried class, which sources say remains conditional on IMF approval.

The review will also assess Pakistan’s budgetary framework, fiscal consolidation efforts, and revenue generation measures.

Additionally, separate discussions will be held with all four provinces to align fiscal targets.

Pakistan’s economic policies, including taxation, energy pricing, and structural reforms, are expected to be scrutinised closely by the IMF before any further financial commitments are made.

Previously, a technical delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has arrived in Islamabad to discuss climate financing and related policy measures with Pakistani officials on Monday.

According to sources, the four-member IMF team will engage in talks with federal and provincial authorities to review climate funding strategies, including green budgeting and tracking mechanisms.

The discussions, set to run until February 28, aim to assess Pakistan’s progress on climate adaptation and financing.

One key agenda item is the proposed introduction of a carbon levy in the federal budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

The IMF will present recommendations on its implementation and framework.

The negotiations will also cover subsidies, electric vehicles, and the expansion of green budgeting. Officials are expected to provide briefings on Pakistan’s current climate initiatives and future plans.

The IMF delegation’s visit is part of broader efforts to align Pakistan’s financial policies with global climate commitments, ensuring sustainable economic reforms.

Moreover, the IMF has announced that its review mission will visit Pakistan to negotiate the next tranche of the $7 billion loan, with discussions also set to focus on climate financing.

The IMF delegation is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan in early March to conduct the first review of the ongoing loan programme.

According to IMF’s representative in Pakistan, Maahir Binesi, the delegation will engage in talks regarding the next installment of the loan and will also review the technical aspects of climate financing at Pakistan's request.

Finance Minister Aurangzeb had earlier said that Pakistan expects $1-1.5 billion in climate funding from the global lender.

Last month, the IMF held meetings with officials from the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP), the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to conduct a governance and corruption assessment.

Sources revealed that the IMF mission was briefed on transparency and the audit process in the public sector. The mission was informed that Parliament serves as the highest forum for audit and accountability in the public sector.

Additionally, the opposition has the authority to audit government institutions, with the head of the Public Accounts Committee being nominated by the Leader of the Opposition.

FBR officials provided a briefing on digitalisation and tax reforms aimed at ensuring transparency in the tax system. Meanwhile, SECP representatives apprised the IMF about measures taken to enhance the ease of doing business in the stock market and corporate sector.

The IMF mission also held meetings with officials from the Ministry of Climate Change and the Ministry of Housing and Works.

 
IMF review mission to arrive in Pakistan on March 03

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has affirmed that a delegation will visit Pakistan on March 03 to review the country’s $7 billion loan program, ARY News reported.

“The economic review and talks will continue until March 15,” sources said.

The nine-member mission led by Nathan Porter will stay about two weeks and assess Pakistan’s economic performance to determine the release of the next $1 billion tranche.

The IMF mission will also present its recommendations for the next financial year’s budget, sources said. “Any relief to the salaried class can only be offered after the lender agreed over it,” according to sources.

The IMF mission will hold talks with the ministries of finance and energy, planning ministry and the State Bank of Pakistan. The IMF delegation will also hold discussions with the FBR, OGRA, NEPRA and other state institutions and ministries.

The IMF team will also hold separate talks with Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan governments.

Key discussions will focus on tax reforms like income tax on the agricultural sector, privatization progress, fiscal policies, and energy sector reforms. The IMF will also review monetary policy, interest rates, inflation, and exchange rate management.

An IMF delegation will hold talks with Punjab and Balochistan government over climate funding today.

Pakistan made a formal request in October last year for around $1 billion in funding from the IMF under the trust, to address the country’s vulnerability to climate change.

The country’s economy is on a long path to recovery after being stabilized under a $7 billion IMF Extended Fund Facility it secured late last year.

The Global Climate Risk Index places Pakistan among the countries most vulnerable to climate change.

Floods in 2022, which scientists said were aggravated by global warming, affected at least 33 million people and killed more than 1,700.

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team on Monday landed in Pakistan to discuss climate financing.

As per details, discussions will focus on green budgeting, climate spending tagging, tracking, and reporting. For the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26, the government is considering imposing a carbon levy, with initial proposals set to be discussed in the next round of negotiations.

The IMF delegation is expected to provide recommendations regarding the levy.

The talks, which will continue until February 28, will also cover carbon levy, electric vehicles, and subsidies. Additionally, the IMF is set to propose measures to expand green budgeting in the next fiscal budget.


 
Pakistan, IMF to begin talks for next $1billion tranche

Pakistan’s negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the next $1billion tranche of its $7billion loan programme began today (Monday).

According to details, the official talks between the IMF mission and the Pakistani government team were set to last for two weeks, according to the Ministry of Finance. Pakistan had already met most of the IMF’s strict conditions.

The country will assure the IMF that the tax target for the current fiscal half-year will be achieved. The government will also request flexibility on two fronts: the unmet target of the trader-friendly scheme and the delay in legislation on agricultural tax by the provinces.

Under the leadership of IMF mission chief Nathan Porter, the discussions will initially take place at a technical level before moving to policy-level negotiations.

The talks will evaluate Pakistan’s economic performance from July to December 2024. A successful review would unlock the next $1billion tranche.

According to the Ministry of Finance, Pakistan has met the IMF’s major conditions. The provinces provided a surplus budget of Rs776billion against a target of Rs750billion . Provincial revenue amounted to Rs442.4billion , exceeding the target of Rs376billion rupees.

However, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has not met its tax collection goal for the first half of the fiscal year, collecting Rs5.624trillion instead of the Rs6.008trillion target, resulting in a shortfall of Rs384billion.

The government is expected to assure the IMF mission that the target will be achieved in the second half of the year.

During the talks, the Pakistani team will also request leniency from the IMF regarding the unmet tax target of the trader-friendly scheme and the delay in provincial legislation on agricultural income tax.


 

IMF pushes for crackdown on tax evasion in Pakistan's real estate sector​


The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called for a crackdown on tax evasion in Pakistan's real estate sector as negotiations begin for the release of a $1 billion loan tranche in Islamabad.

This demand is part of the ongoing discussions aimed at securing the next tranche of the $7 billion loan program.

Pakistan has assured the IMF that it will activate the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) to address tax evasion in the sector.

As part of the plan, authorities intend to take action against individuals involved in declaring false property values, with penalties including imprisonment and fines.

Agents failing to register properties could face fines of up to Rs 500,000, while those providing false information could be fined between Rs 200,000 and Rs 500,000.

The Real Estate Regulatory Authority will be empowered to impose prison sentences of up to three years.

The negotiations for the loan tranche will continue until March 15, 2025, and are divided into two phases: technical discussions in the first phase, followed by policy-level talks.

During this time, the IMF delegation is expected to meet with officials from Pakistan’s Ministry of Finance, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the Power Division, and the State Bank of Pakistan.

The IMF will also be briefed on agricultural income taxes, property sector taxation, and plans to bring retailers into the tax net.

Additionally, the IMF delegation will provide suggestions for the upcoming fiscal year’s budget, and separate discussions will be held with representatives from Punjab, Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan.

 

IMF shoots down plan to cut power tariffs, for now​

ISLAMABAD: A substantial reduction in electricity tariffs, promised by the government, could not get past the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is currently holding back a staff-level agreement (SLA) on the first biannual review of the $7bn Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

It was widely reported in the media through official leaks that the prime minister would announce a Rs8 per unit reduction in electricity rates in his speech to the nation on March 23. The prime minister, however, did not announce any such relief package in his Pakistan Day speech.

Instead, he presided over a meeting on the power sector in light of the last-minute hiccup. The meeting, also attended by Awais Leghari, Ahad Cheema, and Muhammad Ali — the ministers for power, economic affairs, and privatisation, respectively — PM’s special assistant Tauqeer Shah, and other officials reviewed the power sector issues, a statement issued after the meeting said.

The PM Office announced on March 15 that the PM had decided to maintain the petroleum prices at the existing level against up to Rs13 per litre cut worked out by the oil regulator and the petroleum division. It was promised to transfer its financial impact to electricity consumers.

“A package is being prepared with a comprehensive and effective strategy for power tariff cut,” the PMO had announced, adding that “a big relief package is ready for the consumers through the cushion arising out of changes in international oil prices and other measures”.

However, the tariff package had to be screened by the IMF, which is currently in the process of reviewing Pakistan’s economic performance in the first six months of the ongoing fiscal year and outlook for the period ending June 30, 2025, and beyond. “The purported numbers did not work out in the apolitical software of the IMF,” an official told Dawn.

During the course of the March 4-14 review talks, a plan was shared with the IMF staff mission for around Rs2 per unit tariff reduction on account of some savings through the renegotiation of contracts with the Independent Power Producers. As an afterthought, the authorities were tempted to increase the petroleum levy on petrol and diesel by Rs10 to a maximum of Rs70 permissible under the Finance Act 2025 to divert the revenues towards maximising relief in power tariffs. This can have another impact of about Rs2-2.50 per unit.

“The IMF should not have an issue given the trade-off, increasing the petroleum levy on oil products and using it for reducing power tariffs. It was revenue neutral, no subsidy or fiscal impact,” an official said. He, however, added that the IMF usually looked at the whole picture instead of assuming a couple of billions here and creating a fiscal impact there.

Nepra hurdle

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) is also seized with petitions from Discos for annual base tariff revision. On the ground, only 6-7 IPPs have reached Nepra for revised tariff adjustments following renegotiations with a civil-military task force. On top of this, a power division petition for revision in the solar-net metering policy changes has also to be decided by Nepra.

“The government may have the sincerity and plan in mind but required a lot to materialise it on legal, procedural and regulatory grounds,” the official said, adding that as an outsider with a 360-view of the larger picture, the IMF wanted clarity before making the decision. According to the official, the government may be able to finally secure around Rs5 per unit or so relief for power consumers only after it is able to back up with data.

Net metering policy

The meeting chaired by the prime minister on Sunday also discussed the devastating impact of criticism from former two-time PML-N finance minister Miftah Ismail on social media against changes in the government’s solar net metering policy approved by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet, sources said.

A statement by the PM’s Office after the meeting quoted the premier as saying that the promotion of renewable energy was the government’s priority. He also directed the officials that confusion over the solarisation policy should be addressed through facts and figures. “There is no change in the government’s solar energy policy and priority,” he was quoted as saying.

The ECC has already approved a two-thirds reduction in buyback rates from future solar net-metered consumers and other settlement restrictions. The power minister has been advocating utility-scale solar energy inductions from private investors through bidding instead of its net metering from consumers.

The prime minister also directed swift settlement of all legal and other matters related to the privatisation of generation companies, besides expediting the privatisation process of power distribution companies, the statement said.

He reiterated that a package was being formulated to reduce the electricity tariffs, which would be announced soon to provide relief to the public. He also directed the power division, water resources division, and petroleum division to improve their coordination for a comprehensive strategy in the energy sector.

Source: DAWN
 
Pakistan should focus all its efforts on Arab nations. They’re the ones who can give away money and forget about it. Take it as loan and then say Habibi it’s ok bye see you again. They are so nice they won’t ask for it again.

Problem with Chinese and Americans will be that they will always want to have a friends with benefits relationship.
 
IMF board to meet on May 9 to discuss Pakistan’s programmes

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board will meet on May 9 to discuss the country’s staff-level agreement for a new $1.3 billion arrangement under a climate resilience loan programme, along with the first review of Pakistan’s ongoing $7bn bailout programme, the global lender’s website said.

According to the Fund’s website, this will be the first “review under the Extended Arrangement Under the Extended Fund Facility”, along with request for an arrangement under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).

Previously, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb during his visit to Washington had said he also expected the IMF Executive Board to approve in early May.

Approval from the board would trigger the disbursement of a $1bn tranche under the programme, which Pakistan secured in 2024. The IMF programme has played a critical role in stabilising Pakistan’s fragile economy, providing much-needed external financing and boosting market confidence.

Pakistan and the IMF had reached a three-year, $7bn aid package deal in July 2024, with the new programme set to allow the country to “cement macroeconomic stability and create conditions for stronger, more inclusive and resilient growth”.

The ongoing 37-month EFF programme consists of six reviews over the life of the bailout, and the release of the next tranche of approximately $1bn will be contingent on the success of the performance review.

In March, Pakistan and the IMF had concluded the first biannual review of the $7bn loan programme on a positive note, without imposing additional revenue measures.

In an end-of-mission statement, mission chief Nathan Porter said: “Programme implementation has been strong, and the discussions have made considerable progress in several areas, including the planned fiscal consolidation to durably reduce public debt, maintenance of sufficiently tight monetary policy to maintain low inflation, acceleration of cost-reducing reforms to improve energy sector viability.”

A separate technical mission from the IMF also visited the country on Pakistan’s request for over $1bn in additional financing for climate resilience.

DAWN NEWS
 
IMF demands tax on high pensions ahead of budget talks

With the arrival of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation just days away, the government of Pakistan is actively reviewing key budget proposals, including a major new measure to tax high-income pensioners.

According to official sources, the IMF has recommended that income tax be imposed on individuals receiving large monthly pensions, as part of efforts to broaden the tax base and enhance fiscal discipline. In response, the federal government is preparing to introduce a 2.5% income tax on monthly pensions of Rs400,000 or more in the upcoming Budget 2025-26.

Retired officials, judges, military personnel to be included
The proposed tax is expected to target high-income retired individuals, including former civil servants, military officers, and judges, including those from the judiciary.

Simultaneously, the government is working on income tax relief measures for small employees and middle-salaried groups. One key proposal under review is to increase the minimum annual income tax exemption limit, currently set at Rs600,000, to an unspecified higher threshold.

IMF team due in Pakistan on May 14
The IMF team is scheduled to visit Islamabad on May 14 to finalize Pakistan’s budget targets for FY2025–26. The government is keen to strike a balance between fulfilling IMF conditions and offering relief to its citizens in a tough economic environment.

Sources within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) confirm that discussions are ongoing to fine-tune these proposals before the IMF delegation’s arrival.


 
IMF demands tax on high pensions ahead of budget talks

With the arrival of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation just days away, the government of Pakistan is actively reviewing key budget proposals, including a major new measure to tax high-income pensioners.

According to official sources, the IMF has recommended that income tax be imposed on individuals receiving large monthly pensions, as part of efforts to broaden the tax base and enhance fiscal discipline. In response, the federal government is preparing to introduce a 2.5% income tax on monthly pensions of Rs400,000 or more in the upcoming Budget 2025-26.

Retired officials, judges, military personnel to be included
The proposed tax is expected to target high-income retired individuals, including former civil servants, military officers, and judges, including those from the judiciary.

Simultaneously, the government is working on income tax relief measures for small employees and middle-salaried groups. One key proposal under review is to increase the minimum annual income tax exemption limit, currently set at Rs600,000, to an unspecified higher threshold.

IMF team due in Pakistan on May 14
The IMF team is scheduled to visit Islamabad on May 14 to finalize Pakistan’s budget targets for FY2025–26. The government is keen to strike a balance between fulfilling IMF conditions and offering relief to its citizens in a tough economic environment.

Sources within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) confirm that discussions are ongoing to fine-tune these proposals before the IMF delegation’s arrival.


Taxing the military in Pakistan .. haha. IMF is living in its fantasy land!
 
Pakistan ‘receives’ second IMF loan tranche

Pakistan has received the second tranche under the ongoing loan programme from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), ARY News reported on Wednesday, citing sources in the Ministry of Finance.

According to the sources, the IMF has transferred $1 billion to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) as part of the current agreement.

The inflow will be reflected in the central bank’s foreign exchange reserves on May 16.

The disbursement follows the IMF Executive Board’s approval of the loan tranche on May 9, marking a critical step in Pakistan’s efforts to stabilize its economy and reinforce fiscal and external buffers.

“The IMF Executive Board completed the first review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) Arrangement, allowing the authorities to draw the equivalent of about $1 billion,” the IMF said in a statement.

Last month, Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund reached a staff-level agreement on the first review under Pakistan’s 37-month $7bn Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and on a new 28-month $1.3bn arrangement under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), the federal government and the IMF confirmed.

The IMF Executive Board also granted the authorities’ proposal for a Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) arrangement, which will provide Pakistan with around $1.4 billion to help strengthen its economic resilience to natural catastrophes and climate riskS.

“The Inational Monetary Fund team has reached a staff-level agreement (SLA) with the Pakistani authorities on the first review of the 37-month Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), and on a new 28-month arrangement under the IMF’s RSF with total access over the 28 months of around $1.3 billion (SDR 1 billion).

The staff-level agreement is subject to approval of the IMF’s Executive Board. Upon approval, Pakistan will have access to about US$1.0 billion (SDR 760 million) under the EFF, bringing total disbursements under the program to about US$2.0 billion,” the IMF said in a statement.

Source: ARY
 
Back
Top