IMF chief meets PM Shehbaz, pledges support for govt’s actions

Published February 12, 2025
IMF Managing Director  Kristalina Georgieva meets Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif  during his visit to the United Arab Emirates  (UAE) — @KGeorgieva/X
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva meets Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — @KGeorgieva/X

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his visit to the United Arab Emirates and assured him of the lender’s support for the government’s decisive actions regarding the programme, according to a statement released on Wednesday.

In a post on X, she said, “Wonderful to meet Prime Minister @CMShehbaz and his team.”

“I am encouraged by their strong commitment to Pakistan’s IMF-supported reforms and support their decisive actions to pave the way to higher growth and more jobs for Pakistan’s youthful population.”

These comments come amid the IMF team’s visit to the country for a week-long scrutiny of the judicial and regulatory system as part of the ongoing $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) to address governance and corruption vulnerabilities.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the premier held a meeting with the IMF chief on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2025 in Dubai, where both sides discussed Pakistan’s ongoing IMF programme and the macroeconomic stability achieved through the government’s comprehensive reform agenda.

Furthermore, the meeting focused on Pakistan’s commitment to implementing structural reforms and maintaining fiscal discipline, “which had been instrumental in restoring economic stability and would be critical in driving sustainable growth”.

The prime minister talked about the progress made under the programme, attributing the economic progress to the bailout deal.

Furthermore, he reaffirmed the government’s resolve to sustain reforms, particularly in tax reforms, energy sector efficiency, and private sector development.

The IMF chief commended the country’s efforts “in effectively implementing the IMF-supported programme, highlighting the country’s improving economic performance with rising growth and declining inflation,” per the statement.

She recognised that Pakistan was “on the path to growth and has undergone economic recovery”, further reiterating the IMF’s support for its reform agenda.

The premier was in the UAE alongside Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on a two-day visit at the invitation of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to participate in the World Governments Summit (WGS).

IMF chief ‘full of praise’ for reform-based programme, says finance minister

Speaking at a conference organised by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said that the IMF chief was “full of praises” regarding the prime minister’s leadership and commitment to the reform-based programme.

He highlighted the focus on structural reforms on the taxation side, energy side, state-owned entities (SOEs) reforms, and public finance in terms of right-sizing the federal government and pension reforms.

“That’s what the managing director, Kristalina, was full of praise for yesterday,” he said. “For the prime minister and the leadership he has shown and the conviction that he has shown.

“And the commitment the country has shown in terms of this reform-based programme, for which we are well underway in that programme,” he added.

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

First line of defence

First line of defence

Pakistan’s foreign service has long needed reform to be able to adapt to global changes and leverage opportunities in a more multipolar world.

Editorial

Eid amidst crises
Updated 31 Mar, 2025

Eid amidst crises

Until the Muslim world takes practical steps to end these atrocities, these besieged populations will see no joy.
Women’s rights
Updated 01 Apr, 2025

Women’s rights

Such judgements, and others directly impacting women’s rights should be given more airtime in media.
Not helping
31 Mar, 2025

Not helping

THE continued detention of Baloch Yakjehti Committee leaders — including Dr Mahrang Baloch in Quetta and Sammi ...
Hard habits
Updated 30 Mar, 2025

Hard habits

Their job is to ensure that social pressures do not build to the point where problems like militancy and terrorism become a national headache.
Dreams of gold
30 Mar, 2025

Dreams of gold

PROSPECTS of the Reko Diq project taking off soon seem to have brightened lately following the completion of the...
No invitation
30 Mar, 2025

No invitation

FOR all of Pakistan’s hockey struggles, including their failure to qualify for the Olympics and World Cup as well...