WASHINGTON: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has reaffirmed that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cannot impose any condition that undermines Pakistan’s national interest.
“The IMF cannot put forward any condition that goes against Pakistan’s national interest,” Aurangzeb stated during a press conference in Washington, accompanied by senior government officials.
The finance minister said that the reforms implemented under the IMF programme had played a critical role in stabilising Pakistan’s economy and restoring investor confidence. “The steps we took under the IMF arrangement have strengthened the economy and built trust,” he said.
Aurangzeb stated that Pakistan expects to receive the next IMF tranche of $1.2 billion by December 31. He said the Fund’s Executive Board will approve the agreement soon. “We anticipate the board’s approval shortly, which will pave the way for the disbursement,” he added.
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, met with Mr. Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), on the sidelines of the IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington D.C.
The Minister welcomed IFC’s recent… pic.twitter.com/CNs914FEcZ
— Ministry of Finance, Government of Pakistan (@Financegovpk) October 18, 2025He also announced that Pakistan aims to finalise a trade and tariff agreement with the United States within the next two weeks. Aurangzeb mentioned that the government is close to deciding on the privatisation of New York’s Roosevelt Hotel, one of Pakistan’s key overseas assets.
During the sixth and final day of his visit to the United States, the finance minister witnessed the signing of a swap agreement between the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, participated in the 15th V20 Ministerial Dialogue on “Cost of Capital, Debt & Growth Pathways” held on the sidelines of the IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington D.C.
In his address, the Minister… pic.twitter.com/ZZPV883KtN
— Ministry of Finance, Government of Pakistan (@Financegovpk) October 18, 2025The signing took place during a meeting with IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop on the sidelines of the IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington, DC. Aurangzeb praised IFC’s decision to designate Pakistan as a regional hub. He called it a vote of confidence in the country’s economic potential. “The government remains committed to strengthening its partnership with IFC across key development and financial sectors,” he said.
Read: IMF Proposes Mission to Probe Pakistan’s $30 Billion Trade Data Gap
Discussing major development projects, Aurangzeb expressed optimism about the EXIM Bank’s expected participation in the Reko Diq mining project. This is one of Pakistan’s most significant foreign investment ventures.
He also acknowledged IFC’s continued support in areas such as subnational finance, Digital Payment Rights (DPR), pharmaceuticals, electric vehicles, and commodity exchange development.
