Aurangzeb, IMF team discuss budget 2026 – 27,reforms

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, on Wednesday briefed a visiting International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission on Pakistan’s macroeconomic outlook, fiscal strategy, and ongoing reform efforts aimed at ensuring sustainable economic stability and long-term growth.
The discussions focused on macroeconomic stabilisation, preparations for the upcoming federal budget, and a broader reform agenda to strengthen fiscal and external sustainability while promoting sustainable economic growth. Both sides exchanged views on maintaining reform momentum, preserving macroeconomic stability, and advancing structural reforms to enhance investment, productivity, and export-led growth.
Welcoming the IMF delegation, the finance minister appreciated the Fund’s continued engagement and constructive dialogue with Pakistan, particularly acknowledging the progress made during the Spring Meetings in Washington earlier this year.
Aurangzeb highlighted encouraging developments in the external sector, noting positive trends in remittances and exports. He said recent data showed improvements in exports on both month-on-month and year-on-year bases, indicating growing economic resilience and strengthening macroeconomic fundamentals.
While acknowledging these gains, the minister emphasised that structural challenges persist, particularly external liabilities and the need to accelerate sustainable, export-led growth.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to deepening reforms to stabilise the economy without undermining long-term growth. In this regard, he stressed the importance of moving away from recurring boom-and-bust cycles through structural reforms, productivity enhancement, deregulation, and improved export competitiveness.
Aurangzeb said the reform agenda had been carefully designed in consultation with international experts and economists, adding that policy measures were part of a broader, technically grounded economic transformation strategy rather than short-term interventions.
He also briefed the IMF mission on Pakistan’s engagement with international development partners, including ongoing economic cooperation with China and efforts to mobilise long-term investment aligned with national economic priorities.
The IMF mission, led by Mission Chief Ms. Iva Petrova, acknowledged Pakistan’s progress in maintaining macroeconomic stability despite a challenging global environment. The delegation appreciated the government’s commitment to prudent economic management and reform implementation.
The IMF team emphasised the need to sustain reform momentum, maintain fiscal discipline, and advance structural reforms to support durable and inclusive economic growth. Discussions also covered the macroeconomic framework, reform priorities, and budget preparations.
The mission reaffirmed its commitment to continued engagement and constructive cooperation with Pakistan in support of its economic reform programme and long-term resilience.
The meeting was attended by State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmad, Finance Secretary Imdad Ullah Bosal, Federal Board of Revenue Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial, and senior officials from the Finance and Revenue Division and Tax Policy Office.