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IMF Team to Visit Pakistan Feb 25 for Crucial Economic Programme Reviews

An International Monetary Fund staff team will travel to Islamabad starting February 25 to hold discussions on Pakistan's economic reform programme. The talks will focus on reviews under the Extended Fund Facility and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility. IMF Communications Director Julie Kozack stated the programme has helped stabilise Pakistan's economy, citing a strong fiscal performance and the country's first current account surplus in 14 years. The visit will assess progress on fiscal consolidation, inflation management, and structural reforms.

Key Points: IMF Team Visits Pakistan Feb 25 for EFF, RSF Programme Reviews

  • IMF team visit from Feb 25
  • Focus on EFF and RSF reviews
  • Fiscal surplus in line with targets
  • First current account surplus in 14 years
2 min read

IMF team to visit Pakistan from Feb 25​

An IMF staff team will visit Islamabad from February 25 to discuss Pakistan's economic reform programme, focusing on fiscal performance and structural reforms.

"Pakistan's policy efforts under the EFF have helped stabilize the economy and rebuild confidence. - Julie Kozack"

Washington, Feb 19

An International Monetary Fund staff team will travel to Islamabad from February 25 to hold discussions on Pakistan's economic reform programme under its Extended Fund Facility, the Fund said on Thursday.​

"We do have a staff team that is expected to visit Pakistan starting February 25th for discussions on the third review under the EFF and the second review under the RSF," IMF Communications Director Julie Kozack told reporters at a news conference here.​

The discussions will focus on the third review under the EFF and the second review under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), both of which are linked to policy benchmarks and reform commitments, she said.​

Kozack said the programme had helped stabilise Pakistan's economy. "Pakistan's policy efforts under the EFF have helped stabilize the economy and rebuild confidence."​

She pointed to improvements in key macroeconomic indicators. "First fiscal performance has been strong. Pakistan currently has a primary fiscal surplus of 1.3% of GDP in FY 25, which was in line with program targets."​

On inflation and the external account, she added: "Headline inflation has been relatively contained, and Pakistan posted its first current account surplus in 14 years in FY 2025."​

The IMF also referred to governance reforms. The government governance and corruption diagnostic assessment report was recently published. And it includes proposals for reforms, including simplifying tax policy design, leveling the playing field for public procurement, and improving the asset declaration transparency."​

The IMF staff visit is expected to assess progress on fiscal consolidation, inflation management, external stability, and structural reforms under the programme framework.​

Pakistan has faced recurring balance-of-payments pressures and elevated inflation in recent years, prompting reliance on IMF-supported programmes to restore macroeconomic stability. ​

The Extended Fund Facility provides longer-term financial assistance tied to structural reforms, while periodic reviews determine disbursements based on performance against agreed targets.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting to see the focus on governance and tax reforms. If implemented properly, these structural changes could actually help Pakistan achieve long-term stability. The current account surplus after 14 years is a positive sign, if it's sustainable.
A
Ananya R
Hope the IMF ensures the money is used for the people's welfare and not diverted elsewhere. Their common citizens suffer the most due to inflation and economic instability. As a neighbour, we want a stable region, but accountability is key.
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Vikram M
"Simplifying tax policy" and "leveling the playing field" – these are the exact reforms India has been pushing for years with GST and ease of doing business. Sometimes you have to learn from your neighbours' successes, no?
K
Karthik V
With all due respect to the IMF's assessment, calling inflation "relatively contained" when it's still hurting ordinary Pakistanis badly feels out of touch. Stabilization is one thing, but real growth and poverty reduction are what matter.
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Priya S
Economic stability in Pakistan is good for the whole subcontinent. Less tension, more potential for trade. But the reforms have to be deep and real, not just for show to get the next tranche of funds.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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