The Pakistan government has raised concerns over the IMF’s draft report on governance and corruption. Officials say they will formally challenge parts of the report before approving its release.
The IMF’s draft calls for a new authority to disclose bureaucrats’ assets. However, Pakistan’s Finance Ministry argues this is unnecessary. Existing agencies like the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) already handle these duties.
A recent meeting included officials from the FBR and other agencies. They reviewed the IMF draft and expressed dissatisfaction with some findings. The concerns focused on public finance management, tax systems, and anti-money laundering measures.
The IMF report highlights gaps in fiscal governance, procurement, and the auditor general’s role. It suggests stricter controls on supplementary budget grants. It also recommends publishing the Budget Strategy Paper earlier to improve transparency.
The report urges Pakistan to simplify its tax system by 2026. This step aims to reduce corruption risks and improve compliance. It also calls for greater independence for the auditor general through legal reforms.
Officials say many of these reforms are already underway. The Finance Division now leads tax policy, a role shifted from the FBR. Transformation efforts focus on reducing tax complexity and fighting corruption.
The IMF’s assessment involved many government bodies. It aimed to identify weaknesses in financial oversight, rule of law, and anti-money laundering. The IMF wants the report published soon to increase program transparency.
Pakistan’s Finance Ministry will submit a formal response after the IMF finalizes the report. Islamabad remains cautious about some recommendations. The government believes some proposals duplicate current reforms or are impractical.
The final IMF report will guide Pakistan’s future governance and anti-corruption plans. The government is committed to working on reforms but wants the report to reflect ongoing efforts more accurately.
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