ISLAMABAD: Talks between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the provincial governments ended in Islamabad on Saturday.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said, “The IMF team met separately with the finance adviser. The finance adviser admitted there has been a pressure on the provinces because of the low tax collection.”
“The provincial governments have informed IMF that we [provinces] have a better tax collection record,” Shah said, adding that Sindh has a higher tax collection rate.
He added, the federal government has to work on its tax collecting method. “We have to work on the shortcomings of our economy only then we will be able to make things better,” Shah added.
On Wednesday, Pakistan and the IMF held an important meeting in the federal capital.
In a brief conversation with journalists following the conclusion of talks, Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh said initial negotiations were held with the IMF team, which was also briefed on the economic reforms.
The visiting IMF delegation, which arrived in Islamabad on Monday, is expected to conclude the technical details of the proposed loan by May 6. The proposed bailout package is expected to range between $7-8 billion.
