ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is set to host an International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation on March 3 as part of efforts to secure the next $1 billion installment from the ongoing $7 billion bailout package.
The nine-member delegation, led by Nathan Porter, will stay in the country for about two weeks to conduct a comprehensive economic review, sources from the Ministry of Finance confirmed.
According to official sources, the discussions will take place in two phases:
The first phase will focus on technical-level talks.
The second phase will involve policy-level discussions.
The IMF team will meet with multiple government institutions, including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Energy, Planning Commission, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), and National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA). Additionally, separate talks will be held with representatives from Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan.
One of the major agenda points will be budget recommendations for the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26. The IMF’s input will be crucial in determining any tax relief or financial incentives for the salaried class, as these decisions will require the Fund’s approval.
Climate financing talks
In a parallel development, the IMF technical delegation will engage with officials from Punjab and Balochistan today to discuss climate financing initiatives.
The economic review talks will continue until March 15, and their outcome will play a crucial role in shaping Pakistan’s financial stability and economic policies in the coming months.
The climate discussions come as part of the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) arrangements, which provide long-term financing for climate resilience projects. The talks will continue for three weeks, followed by a broader policy review early next week to assess Pakistan’s performance under the ongoing $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF).
According to official sources, Pakistani authorities—especially the ministries of Planning and Finance—have prepared documents for the Environment-related Public Investment Management Assessment (C-PIMA), in line with policy recommendations from the IMF and the World Bank.
