Ishaq Dar attends IMF, World Bank’s Spring meetings

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar attended IMF/World Bank Spring meetings through Zoom with high level IMF team headed by Jihad Azour Director Middle East and Central Asia Department (MCD).

Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Dr. Aisha Ghous Pasha, SAPM on Finance Tariq Bajwa, SAPM on Revenue Tariq Mehmood Pasha attended the meeting virtually, said a press release issued here.

Whereas Ambassador of Pakistan to the USA Masood Ahmad Khan, Governor SBP Jamil Ahmad, Secretary Finance, Secretary EAD attended in person.

The two sides discussed the progress made with the ongoing IMF program, particularly talks held with the IMF Mission during their visit to Pakistan and implementation of prior actions.

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Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar mentioned that due to local important commitments, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has asked him to stay in Pakistan due to which he had to cancel his scheduled visit to Washington DC and therefore he is attending the IMF/World Bank Spring meetings via zoom from Pakistan.

Dar apprised IMF team about the economic challenges being faced by the country. He further shared the GoP’s vision for bringing about macroeconomic stability in the country.

He also informed that all prior actions for 9th Review under the Extended Fund Facility have already been completed and Government of Pakistan is fully committed to fulfil its obligations as agreed with the IMF.

Dar mentioned that the only IMF Program completed successfully was under his previous tenure as Finance Minister.

Jihad Azour, Director, IMF expressed his confidence that Staff Level Agreement (SLA) will be signed soon followed by the IMF Board’s approval.

He hoped that Pakistan would continue towards its progress on the reforms in various sectors and complete the IMF Programme in time and IMF will play its positive role in bringing economic stability in Pakistan.

Finance Minister thanked Director Jihad Azour and his IMF team for support extended in completing 9th Review.