Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday briefed a visiting International Monetary Fund mission on Pakistan’s fiscal strategy, macroeconomic outlook, export performance and reform agenda ahead of key budget discussions for the next financial year.
According to a statement issued by the Finance Division, the IMF delegation, led by Mission Chief Iva Petrova, held discussions with Pakistani authorities on preparations for the federal budget, macroeconomic stabilisation efforts and measures aimed at ensuring fiscal and external sustainability.
During the meeting, Aurangzeb informed the IMF team about recent improvements in Pakistan’s external sector, citing positive trends in remittances and exports on both month-on-month and year-on-year bases.
The finance minister said the government remained committed to maintaining macroeconomic stability while pursuing structural reforms aimed at improving productivity, deregulation and export competitiveness.
He said the reform programme was designed to move Pakistan away from recurring boom-and-bust cycles and place the economy on a sustainable export-led growth path.
According to the Finance Division, discussions also focused on maintaining reform momentum and advancing policy measures to support investment, productivity and long-term economic growth within a balanced macroeconomic framework.
The IMF mission stressed the importance of continued reforms, fiscal discipline and consistent policy implementation, warning that economic stability depended on sustained structural adjustments.
Aurangzeb told the delegation that the government remained aware of structural challenges facing the economy, including external liabilities and the need to accelerate long-term growth.
He said the government’s reform agenda had been developed in consultation with economists and international experts and formed part of a broader economic transformation strategy.
The finance minister also briefed the IMF delegation on Pakistan’s engagement with international development partners, including economic cooperation initiatives with China and efforts to mobilise long-term investment aligned with national economic priorities.
Aurangzeb welcomed the IMF delegation to Islamabad and acknowledged what the Finance Division described as constructive engagement between Pakistan and the Fund, including discussions held during the Spring Meetings in Washington earlier this year.