ISLAMABAD: International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreed on resuming talks with Pakistan regarding release of tranche under ninth review of Extended Fund Facility (EEF), sources told. 

Sources said two sides are expected to hold virtual talk this week in which Finance Ministry officials will take IMF officials into confidence regarding economic targets. They said virtual encounter between two sides would decide schedule for IMF delegation’s visit to Pakistan.

Earlier, federal government had sent letter requesting it to send its team to cash-strapped Pakistan next week to complete ninth review for release of next tranche of loan pending since September last.

Government as per reports has expressed willingness to implement on four major conditions of global lender for revival of loan programme. Major demands made by IMF include increase in gas and electricity prices, market-based exchange rate and additional taxes to cover fiscal deficit. Secretary Finance Hamed Yaqoob Shaikh formally written to IMF mission chief to visit Pakistan next week in last resort to restart much-needed loan programme.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 25 2023

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