An International Monetary Fund mission has arrived in Pakistan for crucial discussions linked to the country’s ongoing financial support programme.
The delegation has already held a meeting with officials of the State Bank of Pakistan in Karachi, where it was briefed on the country’s recent economic performance and key financial data. The visit marks the start of formal talks under Pakistan’s existing arrangements with the global lender.
The mission, led by IMF Resident Representative Mahir Binici, is in the country from February 25 to March 11. Discussions began on Wednesday and are expected to continue in Islamabad next week with members of the government’s economic team.
Review under $7bn support programme
The main purpose of the visit is to conduct the third review under the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility. At the same time, officials will also hold talks for the second review under the $1.1 billion Resilience and Sustainability Facility.
Sources in the Ministry of Finance said the delegation will assess Pakistan’s economic performance for the July to December 2025 period. The review is a key step before the release of the next tranche of funds.
If a staff-level agreement is reached between the IMF team and Pakistani authorities, the deal will then be placed before the IMF Executive Board for final approval.
Upon approval, Pakistan is expected to receive around $1 billion under the Extended Fund Facility and about $200 million under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility. So far, the country has received $3.3 billion under the two programmes.
Focus on reforms and governance
During the visit, the IMF team is expected to closely examine tax collection, progress on reforms in the energy sector and developments in the privatisation programme. Governance and anti-corruption measures will also come under discussion, including transparency in appointments to key public institutions.
Officials said the talks are likely to focus on whether agreed targets have been met and whether further steps are required to keep the programme on track.
The outcome of the review is seen as important for Pakistan’s external financing position and investor confidence. A positive assessment could help unlock fresh funds and support efforts to maintain economic stability in the months ahead.
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