Pakistan, IMF resolve to jointly work for completion of 9th economic review

ISLAMABAD (92 News) - Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have resolved to jointly work for the completion of the 9th economic review.

The resolve was expressed during a meeting between the visiting IMF delegation and Finance Division officers on Tuesday. The meeting discussed and reviewed the economic and fiscal policies and reforms agenda to accomplish the 9th review under the Extended Fund Facility.

Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar welcomed the delegation and shared long standing friendly relations with the IMF. He briefed the Mission on fiscal and economic reforms and measures being taken by the government in different sectors, including bridging the fiscal gap, exchange rate stability and in energy sector for the betterment of the economy.

He apprised that reforms are being introduced in power sector and a high level committee has been formed for devising modalities to offset the menace of circular debt in gas sector.

The minister also extended gratitude to the IMF managing director on continuation of talks and shared that as finance minister he had successfully completed the IMF programme in the past and that the government was committed to complete the present programme. He further extended all his support to the Mission and committed to work together for reaching an agreement to complete the 9th review under Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

Nathan Porter, IMF Mission Chief, expressed his confidence that the government will meet the IMF requirements for the completion of the 9th review and hoped that Pakistan would continue towards its progress on the reforms in various sectors and complete the IMF Programme within time effectively. He further added that the IMF and Pakistan will be working together on fiscal reforms.

Esther Perez Ruiz, IMF resident representative, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Dr Aisha Ghous Pasha, SAPM on Finance Tariq Bajwa, SAPM on Revenue Tariq Mehmood Pasha, Governor State Bank of Pakistan Jamil Ahmed, Secretary Finance, Chairman FBR, members of IMF delegation and senior officers from Finance Division attended the meeting.