Finance Minister holds meeting with IMF review mission

ISLAMABAD, JAN 31 (Online): Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a meeting with IMF review Mission led by IMF Mission Chief Mr. Nathan Porter at Finance Division, today.

Ms. Esther Perez Ruiz, IMF resident representative, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Dr. Aisha Ghous Pasha, SAPM on Finance Mr. Tariq Bajwa, SAPM on Revenue Mr. Tariq Mehmood Pasha, Governor State Bank of Pakistan Mr. Jamil Ahmed, Secretary Finance, Chairman FBR, members of IMF delegation and senior officers from Finance Division attended the meeting.

The meeting discussed and reviewed the economic and fiscal policies and reforms agenda to accomplish the 9th review under the Extended Fund Facility.

Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar welcomed the delegation and shared long standing friendly relations with the IMF. He briefed the Mission on fiscal and economic reforms and measures being taken by the Government in different sectors including bridging the fiscal gap, exchange rate stability and in energy sector for the betterment of the economy. He apprised that reforms are being introduced in power sector and a high level committee has been formed for devising modalities to offset the menace of circular debt in gas sector.

Finance Minister also extended gratitude to the Managing Director of IMF on continuation of talks and shared that as Finance Minister he had successfully completed the IMF programme in the past and that the Government was committed to complete the present programme. He further extended all his support to the Mission and committed to work together for reaching an agreement to complete the 9th review under Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

Mr. Nathan Porter, IMF Mission Chief expressed his confidence that the government will meet the IMF requirements for the completion of the 9th review and hoped that Pakistan would continue towards its progress on the reforms in various sectors and complete the IMF Programme within time effectively. He further added that IMF and Pakistan will be working together on fiscal reforms.