57 h. ago Govt to enforce Rs77 petroleum levy and Rs5 carbon levy from july 1

The federal government will impose a Rs77 per litre petroleum levy and Rs5 per litre carbon levy on petrol, diesel, and furnace oil from July 1, 2025. This decision is part of Pakistan’s agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) to promote climate resilience and stabilize the economy. […]

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3 d. ago IMF rejection halts Pakistan’s $6 billion refinery upgrade plans

Pakistan’s plans to upgrade its oil refineries hit a roadblock after the IMF rejected key government proposals linked to tax relief. The proposals were designed to support $6 billion in investment aimed at producing cleaner, Euro-V standard fuels. This decision has stalled the upgrade projects, according to officials from the Petroleum Division. The government had […]

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4 d. ago Finance minister retracts 10% electricity surcharge proposal amid IMF concerns

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has withdrawn his earlier proposal to impose a 10% surcharge on electricity bills. This reversal surprised many, especially since Pakistan had assured the IMF that the surcharge would help manage circular debt repayments. The announcement came just a day after Aurangzeb suggested the surcharge during his budget speech. Aurangzeb clarified that […]

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1 week ago Pakistan’s economic growth to hover at 2.44% in FY25, LSE warns

Pakistan’s economic growth is projected to be a modest 2.44% in the fiscal year 2024–25, showing only a slight improvement from last year’s 1.7%, according to the Lahore School of Economics (LSE) Modelling Lab. This forecast aligns closely with recent downward revisions by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics and estimates by the World Bank, IMF, […]

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1 week ago Pakistan budget 2025: IMF blocks wealth tax, clears Rs10 billion digital tax

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has turned down Pakistan’s proposal to impose a wealth tax and a 5% duty on one-day-old chicks. These suggestions, made by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), aimed to raise quick revenue but lacked broad economic logic. The IMF stressed that taxation should focus on income rather than targeting specific […]

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1 week ago IMF approves defence budget hike, tax cuts for salaried class in major relief move

ISLAMABAD – In a significant breakthrough, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has agreed to two key demands from Pakistan: increasing the defence budget and providing tax relief to the salaried class, according to official sources. The government successfully convinced the IMF that rising national security needs could not be delayed. As a result, the IMF […]

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2 w. ago IMF puts Pakistan on the spot over crypto mining and AI energy use

Islamabad: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed serious concerns over Pakistan’s decision to allocate electricity to Bitcoin mining operations and Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centers without prior consultation. The move has triggered questions about transparency and compliance with the conditions of the ongoing IMF loan program. Sources say the IMF was not informed in […]

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2 w. ago IMF calls for end to corruption and overreach in Pakistan’s policy making

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called for reducing corruption and unnecessary external influence in Pakistan’s policy-making and implementation processes. In a new directive, the IMF emphasized the need for Pakistan to fully implement the governance framework for state-owned enterprises (SOEs), ensuring transparency and accountability in all public institutions. The IMF specifically highlighted the importance […]

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2 w. ago IMF demands crackdown on tax evaders, proposes tough budget measures

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked Pakistan to take strict steps against tax evaders. It wants the government to increase its revenue through better tax enforcement and policy reforms. According to sources, the IMF shared several suggestions to control tax evasion and bring more transparency into the tax system. These proposals are expected to […]

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2 w. ago Pakistan shares Rs3 trillion gas sector circular debt plan with IMF

The Pakistani government has formally presented a comprehensive plan to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) aimed at eliminating the mounting Rs3 trillion circular debt in the gas sector. This initiative is part of the country’s upcoming budget preparations and a broader effort to stabilize the energy sector. According to official sources, the Petroleum Division crafted […]

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3 w. ago IMF leaves without final deal, budget talks with Pakistan to continue

ISLAMABAD – May 25, 2025: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) ended its 10-day visit to Pakistan without reaching a final agreement, saying that discussions on the fiscal year 2026 budget will continue in the coming days. In a statement, outgoing IMF Mission Chief Nathan Porter said both sides are still working to agree on key […]

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3 w. ago Pakistan and IMF yet to finalize budget targets, talks to continue

Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have not yet reached a full agreement on next year’s budget targets. The IMF team visited Pakistan from May 19 and held discussions with government officials. Talks covered the country’s economic situation, loan program progress, and key budget goals. Although both sides made progress, some matters are still […]

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3 w. ago India’s lobbying falls flat as IMF defends Pakistan’s bailout

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday defended its recent disbursement to Pakistan under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), rejecting Indian concerns that the bailout could be misused by Islamabad. The IMF executive board approved on May 9 a fresh $1.4 billion loan to Pakistan under its climate resilience fund and approved the first review […]

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3 w. ago IMF spokesperson shuts down Indian journalist’s claim on Pakistan loan use

An Indian journalist faced an awkward moment during an IMF press briefing when he asked if Pakistan could use IMF funds to support cross-border terrorism. Julie Kozack, Director of Communications at the IMF, firmly denied the suggestion. She clarified that the loan is strictly for supporting Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves and not for any military […]

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3 w. ago IMF hopes Pakistan and India will find a peaceful resolution to ongoing tensions

Washington: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has voiced optimism that Pakistan and India will resolve their recent tensions peacefully, urging both nuclear-armed neighbors to prioritize diplomacy and stability in the region. Speaking at a press briefing in Washington, IMF Director of Communications Julie Kozack acknowledged Pakistan’s improved economic performance under its ongoing loan program. She […]

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3 w. ago IMF ties tax relief for salaried class to reduced public expenditure

As negotiations between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) near conclusion, the global lender has conditioned any meaningful tax relief for salaried individuals, property owners, beverage producers, and exporters on substantial reductions in government expenditure. The IMF team, which is wrapping up its visit to Islamabad on Friday, has made it clear that increased […]

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3 w. ago President Zardari welcomes IMF support as Pakistan’s economy shows improvement

  A delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), led by Jihad Azour, met President Asif Ali Zardari in Islamabad on Friday. They reviewed Pakistan’s economic situation and progress under the IMF programme. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, and other senior officials also attended. President Zardari thanked the IMF for its strong support, […]

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3 w. ago IMF delegation meets Pakistan’s deputy PM Ishaq dar, pledges continued support

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation recently held important talks with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. They assured Pakistan of continued cooperation and support for its economic agenda amid ongoing reforms. The meeting was also attended by Tariq Bajwa, Finance Secretary, along with officials from the Federal Board of Revenue and […]

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3 w. ago PM Shehbaz meets IMF delegation, discusses economic reforms and stability

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with a high-level delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to review Pakistan’s ongoing IMF program and the progress of its economic reforms. The meeting, held in Islamabad, focused on the key measures the government has undertaken to ensure economic stability and progress under the current IMF agreement. The IMF […]

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3 w. ago IMF urges Pakistan to cut provincial spending, improve tax collection

Pakistan is in ongoing talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to finalize the budget framework for the next fiscal year. According to government sources, no strict conditions have been agreed upon yet. However, Pakistan has shared all required economic data with the IMF and is answering follow-up questions related to budget targets and economic […]

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