Pakistan, IMF Enter Final Round of Economic Talks

Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are at the last stage of their economic review talks, now moving on to policy-level discussions which are expected to be finalized this week.

The negotiations are being led by the finance minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, with the key areas being the Reko Diq mining project, tax rates, and economic performance targets.

Sources say the IMF mission team will review the impact of tax exemptions granted to Reko Diq and consider revised fiscal targets, especially amid flood-related challenges. A report on trade data discrepancies will also be submitted to the IMF mission.

Pakistan’s newly proposed five-year tariff policy is another key agenda item, with officials to brief the IMF mission elaborately.

If the talks are successfully concluded, the IMF would likely approve the release of a $1 billion as a tranche upon final approval by the IMF Executive Board.