Pakistan’s finance chief says IMF program won’t hurt economic growth

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s finance chief said on Friday the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout package was not likely to impede the country’s economic growth while addressing a gathering in Karachi.
The IMF provided a $6 billion lifeline to Pakistan in 2019 to ease the country’s economic challenges caused by a massive current account deficit.
However, the loan was offered under strict economic conditions that required the government to end subsidies, generate greater tax revenue and implement painful structural reforms.
Experts warned the IMF program would undermine Prime Miniter Imran Khan’s promise to build a future welfare state where underprivileged segments were going to find a more comfortable economic life.
“I do not think the IMF program is going to impede our 5 percent growth rate,” The Express Tribune quoted Tarin as saying. “If we remain within the range of 5, 5.25 and 5.5 percent, we will be fine.”
He said the government had already surpassed its revenue collection target by Rs230 billion until the current stage of the fiscal year, adding it was likely to cross the Rs6 trillion mark by the end of it.
The country’s finance chief also maintained a comprehensive economic plan and political will were imperative for Pakistan’s progress, reported the APP news agency.
He said the country was not too far away from the IMF’s recommended reforms, as the international financial institution continues to scrutinize the economic performance of the country.