IMF official praises fiscal performance

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s policy efforts under the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) have helped stabilise the economy and rebuild confidence.

This was stated by IMF Communications Director Julie Kozack while addressing at a press briefing, who further said that IMF staff mission will visit Pakistan from February 25 to conduct discussions on the third review under the EFF and the second review under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).

“We do have a programme with Pakistan under the EFF arrangement, and a staff team is expected to visit starting February 25 for discussions on the third review under the EFF and the second review under the RSF,” she said.

READ MORE: Pakistan set to meet almost all IMF QPCs ahead of February review: Topline

The IMF official said that fiscal performance has remained strong, with Pakistan posting a primary fiscal surplus of 1.3 percent of GDP in fiscal year 2025, in line with programme targets.

Headline inflation, she said, has been relatively contained, while the country recorded its first current account surplus in 14 years during fiscal year 2025.

Highlighting structural reforms, the IMF official referred to the recently published Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Report.

She said that the report includes proposals for reforms, including simplifying tax policy design, levelling the playing field for public procurement, and improving the asset declaration transparency.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026