Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to implement IMF-backed reforms as the country moves from macroeconomic stabilisation towards recovery.
NEW YORK: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to implementing the reform programme supported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), saying the country is moving from macroeconomic stabilisation towards economic recovery.
The prime minister made the remarks during a meeting with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Pakistan’s current IMF-supported programme includes the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). The programmes focus on macroeconomic stability, public finances, productivity, state-owned enterprises, energy-sector reforms and economic resilience.
Shehbaz Reaffirms Commitment to Economic Reforms
Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan’s transition towards economic recovery was being supported by prudent fiscal and monetary policies despite regional conflict and external inflationary pressures.
He reaffirmed his government’s ownership of the economic reform agenda and reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to maintain the pace of reforms and advance structural measures aimed at strengthening the economy and laying the foundations for sustainable and inclusive growth.
The prime minister also appreciated the IMF’s continued support for Pakistan and Georgieva’s role in strengthening cooperation between Islamabad and the Fund.
He reiterated his government’s commitment to the successful implementation of the IMF-supported programme.
Fiscal Discipline and Structural Reforms
Highlighting progress in fiscal discipline, external buffers and investor confidence, Shehbaz cited the National Tariff Regime, enhanced domestic revenue mobilisation and progress on the privatisation agenda as key areas of the government’s reform efforts.
The IMF’s most recent completed review of Pakistan’s EFF and RSF programmes identified macroeconomic stabilisation, stronger public finances, reforms to improve productivity and competitiveness, state-owned enterprise reforms and energy-sector viability among the programme’s key priorities.
The prime minister also stressed that economic reforms would continue alongside measures aimed at protecting vulnerable sections of society.
IMF Chief Welcomes Pakistan’s Progress
Georgieva appreciated Pakistan’s performance under the IMF programme and the government’s stabilisation efforts, which she said were producing tangible results.
The two sides also discussed Pakistan’s forthcoming IMF programme review and continued cooperation on reforms, economic resilience and sustainable growth.
The IMF has previously said Pakistan’s authorities remained committed to further fiscal consolidation, broadening the tax base, improving tax administration and public financial management, while continuing reforms in the energy sector and state-owned enterprises.
In its May 2026 review, the IMF said Pakistan’s policy efforts had contributed to progress in stabilising the economy and rebuilding confidence, while stressing the importance of continued structural reforms for durable growth and resilience.
Pakistan-IMF Cooperation Continues
The meeting comes as Pakistan prepares for further engagement with the IMF on implementation of the ongoing EFF and RSF arrangements.
In May, an IMF staff mission said the next mission was expected to include the Article IV consultation and EFF and RSF reviews, with discussions covering economic developments, the FY2027 budget and progress on the reform agenda.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Privatisation Muhammad Ali, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi and other senior officials also attended the meeting.