ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have reached a staff-level agreement regarding the second and final review under the Stand-By Arrangement. This development clears the path for the disbursement of the last $1.1 billion tranche from the IMF.
Nathan Porter, who led the IMF team in discussions held in Islamabad from March 14-19, confirmed the agreement, pending approval by the IMF’s Executive Board. Upon approval, the remaining access under the Stand-By Arrangement, amounting to US$1.1 billion, will be made available.
Porter acknowledged Pakistan’s improving economic and financial situation since the first review, attributing it to prudent policy management and resumed inflows from multilateral and bilateral partners.
However, he cautioned that economic growth would remain modest in the current fiscal year due to persistently high inflation.
Porter emphasized the necessity of continued policy implementation and reforms to address Pakistan’s underlying economic vulnerabilities amid ongoing challenges stemming from significant external and domestic financing needs and an uncertain external environment.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
