Finance Minister Provides Update on Launch of Pakistan–IMF Third EFF Review Talks

Aurangzeb Says Tax Revenue to Be Key Topic in Dialogue with Lender's Delegation

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced that Pakistan and International Monetary Fund (IMF) are set to commence discussions on the third review of loan programme following the arrival of Washington-based lender's delegation in Karachi.

Speaking to the media here on Wednesday, Finance Minister said that talks with the IMF delegation would begin in the federal capital on Monday, adding the third economic review would include a performance review.

The finance czar was of the view that Pakistan was in a good position regarding tax collection by the Federal Board of Revenue, saying tax revenue would also come under discussion during the talks with the IMF delegation.

Aurangzeb said that there were no issues regarding the rollover of deposits from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), adding that Islamabad remained in regular contact with the Gulf state in this regard.

The IMF delegation's visit comes more than two months after the global lender released $1.2 billion to Pakistan under the EFF programme and the climate-focused RSF.

In a statement on December 11, 2025, the State Bank of Pakistan said that it received the funds following the IMF Executive Board approval.

The funds were reflected in the central bank's foreign exchange reserves for the week ending December 12, 2025.

The disbursement followed a series of review meetings in Islamabad, held between September 24 and October 8, 2025, led by Iva Petrova, assessing Pakistan's progress under its ongoing economic programmes.