Negotiations with IMF for $7 billion loan programme start

– Policy talks for the next phase of the $7 billion loan package for Islamabad were formally launched on Tuesday between Pakistan and the visiting delegation of the International Monetary Fund, a major lender.

Nathan Porter is in charge of the IMF delegation, while Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb leads Pakistan’s economic team. Rashid Langrial, the chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), is also taking part in the discussions.

The IMF delegation will be briefed by Finance Minister Aurangzeb on Pakistan’s present economic circumstances. The IMF delegation will make suggestions for the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Pakistan will submit a report on the first half of the current fiscal year as well as a report on the execution of the IMF-imposed restrictions under the $7 billion loan program.

The IMF mission will be briefed by the Pakistani team on real estate and agricultural income taxes.

The IMF delegation will offer suggestions about the release of a $1.1 billion tranche to Pakistan following the negotiations.

The IMF mission negotiations will last until March 15.

The IMF mission was previously briefed on tax and energy policies at the Pakistan Business Council office.

During an introductory session, representatives from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning gave the visiting International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation an update on the economic review for the release of the next installment of $1 billion from the $7 billion bailout package.