ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad today (Monday) for first economic review of Pakistan’s $7 billion bailout programme and determine whether the country has med conditions for receiving next $1 billion loan tranche.
According to media reports, the nine-member review team will be led by Nathan Porter. The visit will last two weeks and conclude on March 15. The review will begin with technical discussions before moving to policy-level talks with government officials. Recommendations for the next fiscal year’s budget will also be presented.
Any relief for the salaried class will require IMF approval.
Key institutions will be involved, including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Planning, and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The IMF team will also meet officials from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), and other state bodies.
