IMF mission to visit Pakistan later this month for third review, says finance minister

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission will visit Pakistan later this month for the third review under the current programme, with the government maintaining that there is no external financing gap. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, speaking after a Senate Standing Committee on Finance meeting, confirmed ongoing discussions with the UAE regarding rollover arrangements, stressing that the talks were progressing as planned.

Regarding Panda bonds, the finance minister confirmed that issuance was scheduled for the first quarter of the current year, with discussions still underway. On the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, he added that talks were ongoing, and a meeting could be called after several technical committee sessions.

Earlier, Aurangzeb emphasised the importance of sustainable tax-to-GDP growth for Pakistan’s economic progress, asserting that it is crucial for the country’s future.

The committee also reviewed the Ministry of Finance’s budgetary utilisation for the fiscal year 2025-26, noting that Rs1.5 billion had been spent out of the Rs4.8 billion allocation, approximately 31%. Officials also provided updates on six projects, including those related to women’s financial inclusion, highlighting that over Rs20 billion had been disbursed to women via microfinance institutions. The committee requested a detailed progress report on these initiatives.