Pakistan, IMF discuss forthcoming programme review

September 24, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) discussed the country's forthcoming programme review, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirming Islamabad's resolve to sustain the momentum of reforms and push ahead with structural measures to build a base for sustainable, inclusive growth.

The talks took place on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, where IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva met the premier, according to a press release issued.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Adviser on Privatisation Muhammad Ali, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Tariq Fatemi and other senior officials were also present.

Shehbaz Sharif thanked the Fund for its continued backing of Pakistan's economy and reiterated his government's firm commitment to implementing the IMF-supported reform programme in full.

He credited Kristalina Georgieva for her role in strengthening Pakistan's constructive partnership with the lender.

The prime minister said that, despite regional conflict and external inflationary pressures, Pakistan was moving from macroeconomic stabilisation towards recovery on the back of prudent fiscal and monetary policies.

He pointed to better fiscal discipline, stronger external buffers and rising investor confidence, and cited the National Tariff Regime, stepped-up domestic revenue mobilisation and progress on privatisation as evidence of the government's efforts.

He added that the government remained committed to shielding vulnerable segments of society while continuing economic reforms.

Kristalina Georgieva, for her part, praised Pakistan's performance under the programme and said the government's stabilisation efforts were delivering tangible results.

The two sides also discussed continued cooperation to advance reforms, strengthen economic resilience and support sustainable growth.

In a post on X after the meeting, the prime minister said he had thanked Kristalina Georgieva for the Fund's ongoing support and acknowledged her personal role in the partnership.

He said his government took strong ownership of the reform agenda and was determined to stay the course, and that the two sides had discussed the upcoming programme review and ways to sustain reform momentum.

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