In a move aimed at spurring sluggish economic activities, the government is mulling various options to convince the IMF to secure relaxations on different macroeconomic and fiscal frameworks for the next budget 2026-27, sources said on Wednesday. This thinking among policymakers has surfaced in the context of increasing criticism over the IMF’s EFF that suffocated […]
IMF
Govt launches privatisation process for five DISCOs under IMF reforms
Pakistan has appointed financial advisers and launched sell-side due diligence for the privatization of five electricity distribution companies, marking a long-awaited step in power-sector reforms tied to International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank programs, according to official documents shared with media on Monday. The five companies, namely Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), Faisalabad Electric […]
Argentina enact slaw to encourage return of dollars held outside banking system
BUENOS AIRES: Argentina President Javier Milei has signed a new “tax innocence” law aimed at encouraging citizens to bring billions of dollars held outside the formal banking system back into circulation. Read More: Towards a sustainable financial system For decades of high inflation and strict currency controls, Argentines converted pesos into US dollars and stored them […]
Petrol prices likely to drop by over Rs10 per litre from January 1
Petrol prices in Pakistan are expected to decline significantly on New Year’s Eve, offering some relief to consumers as the country enters 2026, according to media reports citing official sources. Sources told that the price of petrol is likely to be reduced by Rs10.60 per litre for the next fortnight, effective from January 1, 2026. […]
IMF warns tax-to-GDP ratio likely to stagnate
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that Pakistan’s tax-to-GDP ratio will remain largely stagnant over the next five years, despite a notable increase recorded in the previous fiscal year. While federal tax collections improved due to additional revenue measures, the Fund expects only marginal gains going forward, mainly driven by provincial taxes. Read More: […]
IMF blocks immediate removal of GST on contraceptives
ISLAMABAD: Despite Pakistan facing one of the highest population growth rates in the world, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has refused to allow the immediate abolition of the 18% General Sales Tax (GST) on contraceptives, a move that has stalled government efforts to make birth control products affordable. As a result, condoms and other contraceptives […]
SBP cuts policy rate by 50 basis points to 10.5%
ISLAMABAD – The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Monday announced a 50 basis point reduction in its policy rate, bringing it down to 10.5 per cent. This marks the first rate cut since May, when the benchmark rate was last reduced and subsequently held at 11 per cent. Read More: SBP likely to hold interest rate at […]
‘Nothing new’: IMF conditions part of agreed reform plan, clarifies ministry
The Ministry of Finance clarified, in a statement on Sunday, that there is nothing new in the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) conditionalities. It stated that the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies (MEFP) is a continuation of the agreed reform agenda being implemented in a phased manner for the country’s economic stability and sustainable […]
IMF urges Pakistan to give 30% weight to climate in PSDP
The International Monetary Fund has urged Pakistan to increase climate change weighting to at least 30% in all PSDP projects. It also called for public disclosure of project selection scores. The move aims to improve infrastructure planning and align spending with the National Climate Change Policy. In its second review under the Extended Fund Facility, […]
KSE-100 jumps 1,290 points after IMF endorses reforms
Pakistan’s benchmark KSE-100 index gained 1,290 points or 0.77% to close at 169,865 on Friday, supported by improved liquidity and renewed investor confidence after a fresh IMF report praised the government’s structural reform efforts. The report, released earlier in the week, highlighted Islamabad’s commitment to fiscal consolidation, energy sector reforms and anti-corruption measures. These are […]