According to sources, the economic review and negotiations will go on until March 15.
The second $1 billion tranche will be released after the nine-member team, headed by Nathan Porter, evaluates Pakistan’s economic performance throughout the course of their two-week visit.
The IMF mission will also present its recommendations for the next financial year’s budget, sources said. “Any relief to the salaried class can only be offered after the lender agreed over it,” according to sources.
The IMF mission will hold talks with the ministries of finance and energy, planning ministry and the State Bank of Pakistan. The IMF delegation will also hold discussions with the FBR, OGRA, NEPRA and other state institutions and ministries.
Separate discussions with the governments of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan will also be held by the IMF delegation.
Tax reforms such as the agriculture sector’s income tax, the advancement of privatization, fiscal policies, and energy sector reforms will be the main topics of debate. In addition, the IMF will examine inflation, interest rates, exchange rate management, and monetary policy.
Today, an IMF mission will discuss climate assistance with the governments of Punjab and Balochistan.
