[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]Jihad Azour, the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Director for the Middle East and Central Asia Department (MCD), expressed confidence on Wednesday that the staff-level agreement (SLA) with Pakistan will be signed soon, followed by IMF Board approval.
According to a government press release, the director’s remarks came during a meeting with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, who attended the IMF/World Bank Spring meetings via Zoom from Islamabad.
Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar attended IMF/World Bank Spring meetings via Zoom from Islamabad with high level IMF team headed by Mr. Jihad Azour Director IMF. They discussed progress on IMF program and implementation of Prior Actions. (1/2)… pic.twitter.com/bel7gcWoma
— Ministry of Finance, Government of Pakistan (@Financegovpk) April 12, 2023
The two sides discussed the ongoing IMF programme’s progress, particularly discussions with the IMF Mission during their visit to Pakistan, as well as the implementation of prior actions.
Also Read: IMF reduced Pakistan’s GDP forecast for FY23 to 0.5%.
The finance minister stated that the prime minister asked him to stay in Pakistan due to local important commitments, so he had to cancel his scheduled visit to Washington DC and is now attending meetings via Zoom.
Azour hoped that Pakistan would continue to make progress on reforms in various sectors and that the IMF programme would be completed on time, and that the IMF would play a positive role in bringing economic stability to Pakistan.
Dr. Aisha Ghous Pasha, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue, Tariq Bajwa, and Tariq Pasha, Minister of Revenue, all attended the meeting virtually from Islamabad. The meeting was attended in person by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Masood Ahmad Khan, SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad, Secretary Finance, and Secretary EAD.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
