A nine-member delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), led by Nathan Porter, is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on March 3 for key economic review talks.
These discussions, which will last until March 15, will be crucial in shaping the country’s fiscal policies for the 2025-26 financial year.
The talks will be conducted in two phases: technical-level discussions followed by policy-level talks. The IMF mission is expected to engage with officials from various government institutions, including 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).
A major topic on the agenda will be the proposed tax relief for the salaried class, which is subject to IMF approval. The review will also examine Pakistan's budgetary framework, fiscal consolidation efforts, and revenue generation strategies. Additionally, the IMF mission will hold separate discussions with provincial governments to align fiscal targets across the country.
Pakistan's economic policies, particularly on taxation, energy pricing, and structural reforms, will be under close scrutiny. The IMF will assess the country’s efforts to achieve fiscal discipline before committing to any further financial support.
This mission follows an earlier visit by a four-member IMF delegation to discuss climate financing and policy measures with Pakistani authorities. The discussions focused on green budgeting, climate adaptation funding, and a proposed carbon levy in the 2025-26 federal budget. The IMF delegation also addressed issues related to subsidies, electric vehicles, and the expansion of green initiatives.
The ongoing talks aim to ensure that Pakistan’s financial policies align with global climate commitments, fostering sustainable economic growth. The IMF’s review mission is also critical for negotiating the next tranche of Pakistan's $7 billion loan, with a focus on climate financing.
Pakistan anticipates receiving $1-1.5 billion in climate funding from the IMF as part of these discussions.
