ISLAMABAD, Feb 25 (NNI): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has affirmed that a delegation will visit Pakistan on March 03 to review the country’s $7 billion loan program.
“The economic review and talks will continue until March 15,” sources said.
The nine-member mission led by Nathan Porter will stay about two weeks and assess Pakistan’s economic performance to determine the release of the next $1 billion tranche.
The IMF mission will also present its recommendations for the next financial year’s budget, sources said. “Any relief to the salaried class can only be offered after the lender agreed over it,” according to sources.
The IMF mission will hold talks with the ministries of finance and energy, planning ministry and the State Bank of Pakistan. The IMF delegation will also hold discussions with the FBR, OGRA, NEPRA and other state institutions and ministries.
The IMF team will also hold separate talks with Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan governments.
Key discussions will focus on tax reforms like income tax on the agricultural sector, privatization progress, fiscal policies, and energy sector reforms.
The IMF will also review monetary policy, interest rates, inflation, and exchange rate management. NNI
