The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will evaluate data and statistics on power, gas prices, and tax collection, according to Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin on Saturday.
The minister was speaking at a lecture at Pakistan’s embassy in Washington, where he discussed his meeting with the IMF chief.
“We’re here to wrap up our business with the IMF,” he explained. “We’ve asked the IMF to verify the information we’ve given them.”
Pakistan has struck a deal with Independent Power Producers (IPPs), according to the minister, and the specifics would be disclosed in a few days.
Tarin stated that the government had met its growth objectives in many areas and had supplied the IMF with necessary information. Tarin described his meeting with IMF Director Kristalina Georgieva as “very good” and courteous.
Pakistan is doing everything it can to implement economic reforms: Tarin
Prime Minister Imran Khan and his team, according to the finance minister, are focused on implementing economic changes in the government. He stated, “Pakistan has made genuine attempts to begin economic reforms.” “The IMF chief praised Pakistan’s progress on its programme implementation.”
Tarin claimed he spoke with the president of the World Bank, the US-Pakistan Business Council, and also attended a conference at the US Institute of Peace during his trip to the United States.
Pakistan would give targeted subsidies to 40% of the population, according to the finance minister, who also stated that the government has developed a database that shows each household’s income.
He stated, “We will offer subsidies on wheat, sugar, and legumes.”
He discussed the current account deficit and predicted that it would stay steady. “The current account deficit will not explode as it has in the past,” he said, adding that if the exchange rate is regulated, it would gradually decline.
The government, according to Tarin, has maintained a market-based currency rate.
The finance minister, whose term expires today, said that he will run for senator in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He stated that he had been appointed as a consultant.
The administration has failed to elect Shaukat Tarin as a Member of Parliament within the six-month time limit set by the government, which is set to expire today (Saturday). There is now no choice except to designate Tarin as Prime Minister’s Finance and Revenue Adviser.