Pakistan avoids a mini-budget; IMF happy with current state of affairs.
As the penultimate round of negotiations between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) set to complete today, the government has successfully convinced the global lender that no mini-budget will be tabled before the end of June.
Officials from the Ministry of Finance believe the IMF has expressed satisfaction with the country’s economic performance, opening the door for the delivery of the next tranche of $1 billion under the $7 billion loan programme.
Sources privy to the negotiations said that IMF officials, led by Nathan Porter, held extended meetings with Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, where the economic performance of the first half of the fiscal year and future policy targets were examined.
Read also: Pakistan promises to reduce public expenditure while the IMF wants more income.
The Fund reiterated its demand for broadening the tax base, particularly in the retail, wholesale, real estate, and dealership sectors, stressing that more businesses should be brought under the tax net to ensure sustainable revenue generation.
Economic goals and tax reforms
During the meetings, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) managed to satisfy the IMF by showing an improved tax-to-GDP ratio. In response, the Fund agreed to reduce the annual tax revenue target from Rs 12,970 billion to Rs 12,370 billion, alleviating concerns about the need for a mini-budget.
The IMF has, however, demanded the elimination of tax exemptions for the wealthy elite, particularly in agriculture and industrial sectors. Large landlords are expected to be taxed under the agricultural income tax framework, while major industrialists will have to pay a super tax on high earnings. The IMF delegation acknowledged the government’s legislative efforts in this regard but urged swift implementation of taxation measures.
Sources confirmed that the government proposed reducing tax rates on the real estate and property sectors to curb capital flight and retain investment within the country. Additionally, the authorities assured the IMF that efforts to register traders and expand the tax base within the services sector, including professionals, will continue. The FBR has provided a written commitment to the IMF on this front.
Privatization and structural changes
The IMF has also emphasized the need for accelerating the privatization process of loss-making state-owned enterprises (SOEs). According to sources in the Finance Ministry, the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and power distribution companies (DISCOs) remains a key condition for continued financial assistance. The government has already submitted a privatization plan for three DISCOs—Islamabad, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala—under the first phase, while Multan, Lahore, and Hyderabad Electric Companies are expected to follow in the second phase.
Moreover, the IMF advised stringent adoption of the Point of Sale (POS) and Track & Trace system to avoid tax fraud, particularly in the retail sector. The government assured that enforcement would be strengthened to ensure compliance.
IMF’s final review and next steps
As the policy-level discussions conclude, the IMF delegation will compile its final review report, which will be presented to the Fund’s Executive Board for approval before the release of the next $1 billion tranche.
The government remains optimistic about securing the next installment despite the Fund’s reservations in a few areas. Sources confirmed that online consultations will continue even after the delegation departs, ensuring continued dialogue on pending matters.
The Finance Minister and IMF officials are expected to conclude discussions with an Iftar dinner today, after which the final recommendations will be drafted.
IMF’s key demands
Throughout the negotiations, the IMF made several key demands, including:
Abolishing tax exemptions for high-income groups.
Expanding the tax net to include the retail, real estate, and wholesale sectors.
Privatization of major SOEs, including PIA and DISCOs.
Reducing tax concessions on solar panels and electric vehicles, which the IMF claims primarily benefit wealthier segments of society.
With Pakistan’s economic growth projected to exceed 4% in the next fiscal year, inflation expected to remain in single digits, and external financial needs surpassing $20 billion, the government is racing against time to implement reforms while ensuring stability.
The IMF’s official statement on the negotiations is expected soon, which will determine the final roadmap for Pakistan’s economic policy in the coming months.