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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has once again stepped in to prop up Pakistan’s fragile economy, approving about $1.2 billion under two ongoing bailout programmes, highlighting the country’s continued dependence on external IMF loans. The approval includes about $1 billion under the
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IMF Clears $1

IMF Clears $1.2 Billion Loan for Pakistan Amid Revenue Shortfalls, Economic Stress
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has once again stepped in to prop up Pakistan’s fragile economy, approving about $1.2 billion under two ongoing bailout programmes, highlighting the country’s continued dependence on external IMF loans.
The approval includes about $1 billion under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), part of a larger $7 billion package cleared in September 2024, and about $210 million under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), which totals $1.2 billion. With this tranche, Pakistan has now drawn about $4.5 billion out of the combined debt packages totalling $8.4 billion.
According to The Express Tribune, the latest inflow is expected to land early next week, temporarily lifting Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves to just over $17 billion, a modest cushion for an economy that has repeatedly struggled to stay afloat without IMF support.
However, Islamabad had to stick to stringent fiscal and monetary targets despite growing domestic backlash over rising unemployment, poverty, and widening inequality, costs often associated with IMF-backed stabilisation policies.
The approval followed a review of Pakistan’s economic performance for July-December 2025, where authorities managed to meet all key quantitative targets. The country outperformed on net international reserves and met its primary budget balance goals.
Tax collection continues to be a major failure point. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) missed its targets on both overall tax revenues and income tax from retailers. To plug the gap, the government has resorted to increasing petroleum duties, effectively passing the burden onto consumers.
As part of the climate-linked funding, Pakistan has adopted a green taxonomy and issued guidelines for managing climate-related financial risks, along with disclosure norms for listed companies.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb reiterated that Pakistan would remain committed to sound and prudent macroeconomic policies and structural reforms. The government has also assured the IMF it will stick to a Rs 3.4 lakh crore primary surplus target and prepare the next budget in close consultation with the lender.
Source: News18
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