IMF mission to arrive on May 15 for Pakistan budget talks 

Pakistan is expecting approval of more than $1.4 billion in inflows from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today [Friday] as the government accelerates consultations with industries and financial institutions ahead of the federal budget for 2026-27.

The IMF Executive Board is scheduled to consider the disbursement of over $1.2 billion to Pakistan, while the country is also expected to receive around $200 million under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).

Amid the anticipated IMF approval and an expected IMF mission visit on May 15 for budget discussions, both Ministry of Finance and State Bank of Pakistan expressed optimism about achieving fiscal, current account and economic growth targets despite regional tensions.

Officials said budget planners had intensified engagement with stakeholders to finalise taxation and regulatory proposals for the upcoming fiscal year.

On Thursday, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance that Pakistan remained broadly on track to meet its key economic targets despite regional tensions and external pressures. 

Briefing the committee chaired by Syed Naveed Qamar, the finance minister said Pakistan had successfully achieved its fiscal and external sector targets until April 2026 through prudent fiscal management and measures aimed at improving investor confidence and macroeconomic stability.