President says Pakistan will pursue fiscal sustainability, tax reforms, privatisation and energy-sector restructuring as GDP reaches $452.1 billion in FY2026.
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to fiscal sustainability, energy-sector reforms, privatisation and social protection while promoting inclusive and green economic growth.
He expressed these views during a meeting with Jihad Azour, Director of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Middle East and Central Asia Department, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, according to a statement issued by the Presidency.
The IMF delegation included Iva Petrova, IMF Mission Chief for Pakistan, and Mahir Binici, the Fund’s Resident Representative in Pakistan.
President Zardari appreciated the IMF’s continued engagement with Pakistan in supporting its home-grown reform agenda. He also acknowledged the Fund’s confidence in the country’s implementation of reforms under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).
Referring to the successful completion of the fourth review of the EFF and the third review of the RSF, alongside the staff-level agreement, the president expressed confidence in Pakistan’s continued economic recovery and stabilisation.
He said Pakistan’s economy had reached $452.1 billion in FY2026, with real GDP growth accelerating to 3.7 per cent from 3.2 per cent in FY2025.
The president also highlighted improvements in fiscal management, stating that the fiscal deficit had declined to 2.6 per cent of GDP in FY2025-26, while the country recorded a primary surplus for the third consecutive year in FY2026.
Reaffirming the government’s reform priorities, Zardari stressed the need to strengthen revenue mobilisation, improve tax administration and reform public-sector institutions. He highlighted ongoing efforts to expand tax documentation, digitise revenue collection and curb tax evasion.
He added that the reform programme enjoyed support from political stakeholders, with provincial governments contributing towards meeting agreed commitments and targets.
The president also underscored Pakistan’s efforts to promote peace amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Jihad Azour acknowledged Pakistan’s continued engagement with the IMF and stressed the importance of maintaining reform momentum, strengthening macroeconomic stability, ensuring fiscal discipline and supporting sustainable economic growth.
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb, Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, MNA Syed Naveed Qamar and the finance secretary also attended the meeting.