IMF mission visits Nepra headquarters

ISLAMABAD: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission, which is currently in Pakistan to finalise a bailout package deal, is on a visit of the headquarters of National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Thursday (today).

According to details, the IMF delegation led by Herald Finger is meeting NEPRA Chairman Tariq Saddozai at the moment. The members of the international lender are being briefed on the performance of the country’s power sector.

The IMF delegation arrived in Pakistan on November 6 to hold talks in two phases with Pakistani officials. The technical talks were held as a part of the first phase from November 7-9. During the technical talks, data pertaining to performance of various sectors was presented.

From November 12, another round of policy-level talks was initiated which is still in progress and will be concluded by November 20.

READ MORE: Policy-level talks: IMF presses for higher tax collection in Pakistan

In the latest meeting between the two sides, an IMF team, led by Harald Finger, met with Finance Minister Asad Umar and shared its initial assessment on various sectors of the economy, following the  interaction with officials of relevant ministries and entities.

According to a statement released from the ministry, Asad Umar briefed the delegation about PTI government’s vision on economy and referred to the corrective measures being taken to remove imbalances in the economy.

Federal Minister for Finance Asad Umer called on International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde, on October 11, to formally request the global body for providing financial assistance to cushion the sinking economy of Pakistan.