IMF mission due next month

ISLAMABAD: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff mission is scheduled to visit Pakistan next month to conduct discussions on the fourth review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme and the second review under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).

Official sources told Business Recorder that the mission will assess Pakistan’s economic performance for the January-June 2026 period and initiate negotiations for the release of the next tranche under the EFF, as well as RSF.

According to officials, the fund’s mission will examine tax collection, besides reforms in the energy sector and progress on the privatisation programme. Governance and anti-corruption measures will also come under discussion, particularly transparency in appointments to key institutions.

After IMF staff and the Pakistani authorities reach a staff level agreement (SLA) on the fourth review under the EFF and the third review under the RSF, the agreement will be subject to approval of the IMF’s Executive Board. Upon approval, Pakistan will have access to about USD 1 billion under the EFF and USD 200 million under the RSF. Pakistan has already received USD 4.8 billion under the two arrangements.

The Ministry of Finance has instructed relevant ministries and government divisions to complete preparations and provide updates on the implementation of commitments agreed with the global lender. The mission is likely to begin engagements in Karachi with officials of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) before moving to Islamabad for talks with the government’s economic team.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026