The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is preparing for tough negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as Pakistan faces a potential revenue shortfall. The discussions are part of the second economic review, which will assess the government’s ability to meet fiscal targets.
According to officials, the IMF has urged Pakistan to increase revenue collection to stay on track with its commitments. The government has set a target of Rs. 3.083 trillion for the July-September quarter. To achieve this, the FBR must collect nearly Rs. 1.1 trillion in the final two weeks of September.
Meeting this ambitious target will be difficult. Analysts say the FBR will need to show a growth rate of 21 percent in collections. However, the revenue growth in July and August was only 15 percent, which leaves a significant gap to cover in September.
Sources revealed that external challenges are also impacting collection efforts. Recent floods have disrupted economic activity, while revenue from utility bills has declined. These setbacks have created more pressure on the FBR to find alternative sources of income.
The IMF has made it clear that stronger revenue performance is necessary to maintain financial stability. A failure to meet the target could lead to stricter conditions in future negotiations and complicate Pakistan’s access to much-needed funds.
Despite the challenges, the FBR is intensifying its efforts to improve collection in the remaining days of September. Officials say every possible measure is being considered to close the gap.
The outcome of this effort will be crucial. If the FBR manages to achieve its target, it will strengthen Pakistan’s position with the IMF. If not, the country may face further financial strain and additional demands from international lenders.
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