IMF holds meeting with PM Shehbaz as talks enter crucial phase

Islamabad: Major progress was observed in the ongoing talks between the federal government and International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the ninth review of Pakistan’s $7bn Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

The sources said that the IMF held a virtual meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as the policy-level talks progressed.

The IMF delegates and IMF discussed the economic situation besdies discussion  on the ninth review. The special assistants to the prime minister (SAPMs) on finance, revenue and energy also attended the virtual meeting.

The sources revealed that the PM assured the IMF that the government would implement its conditions and the set targets while the officials from the energy ministry presented the review gas circular debt management plan to the premier.

The government officials also asked the IMF mission to conclude the talks on the ninth review by tomorrow [Thursday].

On other hand, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Dr Aisha Ghaus Pasha also said that major development was made in the talks with the IMF. She hinted at revival of the ninth review.

She stated that the federal government was putting efforts not to burden the common man. She said the financial burden of inflated power and taxes would be put on the rich.

The minister went on to say that the economic team received approval for the new decisions from the prime minister, adding that the IMF loan programme was crucial for Pakistan and ongoing negotiations were heading toward the conclusive phase.

IMF mission would  hold a meeting with the finance minister to clear some points before the programme resumption, she added.