Pakistan Aims for Historic Long Term Deal with IMF

Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb emphasizes Pakistan’s ambition for the most extensive and prolonged agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its history. He stresses the government’s commitment to economic discipline within this potential program, highlighting that economic improvement is the primary objective, even beyond IMF requirements. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s dedication to economic enhancement is underscored, with a focus on maintaining strict economic discipline. Aurangzeb assures the media that there are no hindrances to the final installment of the current IMF loan program, which is expected to release $1.1 billion. Planning for the new IMF loan program takes precedence, with economic stability as the shared objective between the IMF and the Pakistani government. Aurangzeb commends the previous caretaker government’s efforts in economic improvement and emphasizes the importance of digital tax revenue collection for transparency. He aims to increase the tax revenue share in the national income to 10% and considers discussing environmental funding within the loan program, citing IMF’s initiatives in aiding environmental improvement in other countries.