The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Pakistan to take immediate measures against corruption, political harassment, and interference in corruption cases.
On September 25, the IMF Executive Board approved a 37-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Pakistan, amounting to about US$7 billion.
IMF’s facility is designed to bolster Pakistan’s economic stability and growth. It focuses on achieving sustainable public finances, reducing inflation, and strengthening external buffers. The IMF highlighted the necessity of an effective investigation system to tackle corruption. It recommended that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) enhance its independence and effectiveness, aligning with the Supreme Court’s rulings. The IMF also set a June 2025 deadline for Pakistan to develop a plan to eradicate corruption.
Additionally, the IMF emphasized the need to digitalize the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to facilitate public asset declarations by government officials, including parliamentarians. The fund noted that corruption is impeding Pakistan’s reform efforts, criticizing the lack of precise data available to NAB for investigating corruption cases. “The government must ensure that NAB receives accurate data to investigate corruption cases effectively,” the IMF declared.
Recently, the IMF announced new loan conditions for Pakistan, pressing the government to stabilize the macroeconomic situation per the loan agreement. It called for economic reforms and a conducive environment for the private sector to enhance economic growth. The lender also advised Pakistan to expand its tax base, cut government spending, and accelerate reforms in state-owned enterprises.
The IMF forecasts Pakistan’s GDP growth to hover between 4% and 4.5% from FY2024-25 to 2029-30, with inflation expected to stay between 6.6% and 9%. The emphasis remains on the full implementation of these economic reform policies.
