Aurangzeb meets IMF’s Jihad Azour, discusses growth and inflation risks amid Mideast crisis

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb met IMF Middle East and Central Asia Director Jihad Azour and the Fund’s mission team for Pakistan on the sidelines of the World Bank–IMF Spring Meetings 2026, where he said the government is managing second- and third-order impacts of the Middle East crisis on Pakistan’s economic growth and inflation.

The finance minister expressed appreciation for the successful Staff-Level Agreement (SLA) and conveyed his expectation for early approval by the IMF Executive Board to sustain the momentum of Pakistan’s reform program.

During the meeting, Senator Aurangzeb briefed Mr. Azour on the economic impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, describing it as one of the most significant supply shocks in recent times. He highlighted that the government is actively managing the second and third-order effects of the crisis, particularly in relation to economic growth and inflation.

The finance minister also underscored Pakistan’s successful Eurobond repayment and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to meeting all other bilateral and multilateral external obligations in a timely manner.

Both sides discussed progress on fiscal and structural reforms, as well as ongoing efforts to enhance revenue mobilisation. They agreed on the importance of maintaining macroeconomic stability as a foundation for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.