Policy-level talks to begin from tomorrow for new IMF loan
Sources involved in discussions with the IMF revealed to The Express Tribune that the IMF is not allowing Pakistan to significantly reduce interest rates in the next fiscal year, which will keep the government’s budgetary constraints high. Photo: REUTERS
Following the technical-level talks, Pakistan and IMF will begin the policy-level talks from Monday (tomorrow).
In this regard, the IMF conditions will be finalized in view of technical-level negotiations for the new loan, the Ministry of Finance said, adding that Memorandum of Economic and Policy Framework will also be finalized.
In addition, the size and tenure of the new loan will be finalized after a detailed discussion during the policy-level talks, said the ministry.
The sources said the conditions and future targets will be finalized during the policy-level talks.
As per the ministry sources, the policy-level talks will finalize the tax-based revenue targets for FBR, non-tax revenue targets, fiscal deficit, privatisation and budget targets for the financial year 2024-25.
Sources said the IMF review mission is likely to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Shraif while the staff-level agreement is also expected for the new IMF loan after the policy-level talks.