WASHINGTON — Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Saturday that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cannot impose any conditions that go against Pakistan’s national interests.
Speaking at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington, Aurangzeb said that all IMF-backed reforms were consistent with Pakistan’s economic priorities and had helped stabilise the national economy. “Please name any IMF-suggested reform that is not aligned with our national interest,” he said in response to a question.
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He added that the IMF is expected to release the $1.2 billion tranche under the staff-level agreement by December 31 after approval from the Fund’s executive board. Aurangzeb, who attended 65 meetings during the World Bank and IMF’s annual sessions, also expressed hope that a trade and tariff agreement with the United States could be finalised “within a week or two.”
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, participated in the 15th V20 Ministerial Dialogue on “Cost of Capital, Debt & Growth Pathways” held on the sidelines of the IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington D.C.
In his address, the Minister… pic.twitter.com/ZZPV883KtN
— Ministry of Finance, Government of Pakistan (@Financegovpk) October 18, 2025
He revealed that Pakistan is close to deciding the future of the Roosevelt Hotel in New York — a property owned by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) — and that seven international firms, including Citigroup, have submitted bids for its privatisation. Islamabad aims to pursue a joint venture model to redevelop the landmark hotel.
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Separately, Pakistan joined 68 other countries in the Vulnerable 20 (V20) group calling for reforms in global financial systems to help climate-vulnerable nations. Aurangzeb reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for making climate finance more accessible and affordable. “Pakistan strongly supports the V20 agenda to reform the global financial architecture,” he said, noting that the country faces significant climate risks despite contributing less than 1% to global emissions.
During his visit, Aurangzeb also met World Bank President Ajay Banga and discussed Pakistan’s flood recovery efforts, agricultural resilience, and ongoing reforms in the energy and public finance sectors. He emphasised that Pakistan’s “Climate Prosperity Plan” aims to shift the country from vulnerability to resilience and from risk to investment.