New Delhi, 24 May (IANS). The International Monetary Fund (IMF) may review the next funding for Pakistan in the second half of 2025.
According to an official statement, the IMF will continue to discuss with Pakistani officials to reach an agreement on the terms of the budget of FY 2026.
According to the IMF, “The next Mission associated with the next Extected Fund Facility (EFF) and Ragilians and Sustainability Facility (RSF) review is expected to be in the second half of 2025.”
The IMF Mission, led by Nathan Porter, has completed its staff tour, focusing on recent economic development, program implementation and budget strategy for FY 2026.
Porter said, “We discussed useful on their financial year 2026 budget proposals, comprehensive economic policy and 2024 EFF; 2025 RSF -supported reform agenda with the authorities.”
He said that the authorities confirmed their commitment to fiscal consolidation, protecting social and priority expenditure, which aims to achieve 1.6 percent primary surplus of GDP in FY 2026.
The IMF statement stated that the discussion included current energy sector reforms as well as other structural reforms with the aim of improving financial viability in the discussion and reducing the high cost structure of Pakistan’s power sector.
India has said that it is ‘grateful’ for the 11 additional conditions imposed on the IMF on Pakistan.
At the same time, serious concern has been expressed at the time of the recently given bailout package by India, suggesting that the fund would have indirectly supported Pakistan’s growing defense spending.
This bailout came when Pakistan was responding to India’s Operation Sindoor.
India was asked to reconsider the bailout as Pakistan allows terrorists to use their land to carry out state -sponsored attacks against Indian citizens.
The IMF has imposed 11 new conditions on Pakistan to release the next installment of its bailout package.
-IANS
SKT/KR
