Islamabad: Major progress was observed in the ongoing talks between thefederal government and International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the ninthreview of Pakistan’s $7bn Extended Fund Facility (EFF).
The sources said that the IMF held a virtual meeting with Prime MinisterShehbaz Sharif as the policy-level talks progressed.
The IMF delegates and IMF discussed the economic situation besdiesdiscussion on the ninth review. The special assistants to the primeminister (SAPMs) on finance, revenue and energy also attended the virtualmeeting.
The sources revealed that the PM assured the IMF that the government wouldimplement its conditions and the set targets while the officials from theenergy ministry presented the review gas circular debt management plan tothe premier.
The government officials also asked the IMF mission to conclude the talkson the ninth review by tomorrow [Thursday].
On other hand, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Dr Aisha GhausPasha also said that major development was made in the talks with the IMF.She hinted at revival of the ninth review.
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She stated that the federal government was putting efforts not to burdenthe common man. She said the financial burden of inflated power and taxeswould be put on the rich.
The minister went on to say that the economic team received approval forthe new decisions from the prime minister, adding that the IMF loanprogramme was crucial for Pakistan and ongoing negotiations were headingtoward the conclusive phase.
IMF mission would hold a meeting with the finance minister to clear somepoints before the programme resumption, she added.
