An International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan today, with formal discussions beginning tomorrow.
The government is prepping up to present a briefing on the country's economic performance in the first quarter of the current fiscal year. The IMF team will stay in Pakistan until November 15, according to Finance Ministry sources.
The government is working on its homework for negotiations with the IMF, including the features of a potential mini-budget, according to sources.
During its stay, the sources said, the IMF delegation will be briefed on tax revenue performance, trader-friendly scheme, and reforms in the energy sector. The discussions will include discussions on the features of a possible mini-budget to meet the annual tax target.
The IMF delegation will be apprised of the progress in implementation of an agricultural income tax at the provincial level, although sources indicate that provincial governments have failed to meet the October deadline for legislation.
The IMF mission will also be briefed on the arrangements for bridging the $2.5 billion financing gap. However, this visit will not cover the first review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program, which is scheduled for March 2025.
Negotiations are expected to address essential fiscal policies, including revenue-enhancement measures to bolster the economy in line with IMF targets.
