IMF review mission arrives on 25th

IMF will also be briefed on privatisation efforts, including developments related to PIA

ISLAMABAD:

Talks between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will begin in the last week of this month, as Islamabad seeks to unlock fresh funding under its bailout programme amid persistent fiscal pressures and slowing revenue momentum.

An IMF review mission is scheduled to arrive on February 25 for a two-week stay, during which officials will assess economic performance from July to December 2025, alongside progress on agreed benchmarks covering taxation, energy reforms, monetary policy and foreign exchange reserves.

While authorities met targets for the primary budget surplus and provincial cash balances, the federal tax goal fell short by Rs329 billion. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) collected Rs6,161 billion over six months, according to official figures.

Provinces reported a combined cash surplus of Rs1,179 billion and collected more than Rs568 billion in taxes during the same period. The IMF will also be briefed on privatisation efforts, including developments related to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).