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.
Pakistan’s finance chief says IMF program won’t hurt economic growth
https://arab.news/mphpj
Pakistan’s finance chief says IMF program won’t hurt economic growth
- Shaukat Tarin maintains the country is likely to surpass the Rs6 trillion mark in revenue collection
- The finance chief informs the country is not too far away from the IMF’s recommended reforms
Kazakh president in Pakistan on two-day visit to discuss trade, connectivity, bilateral ties
- Pakistan, Kazakhstan share strong ties and strategic partnership, with Islamabad offering landlocked Central Asian republics access to key seaports
- The visit reflects mutual commitment to transforming historic affinities into robust cooperation, shared desire for peace and progress, Islamabad says
ISLAMABAD: Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Tuesday arrived in Pakistan on a two-day official visit to hold talks with the country’s leadership on trade, regional connectivity and bilateral cooperation, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry.
Tokayev is visiting Pakistan, along with a delegation comprising cabinet ministers and high-ranking officials, on the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry.
The visit reflects the strengthening bonds between Pakistan and Kazakhstan, their mutual commitment to transforming historic and cultural affinities into robust cooperation, and their common desire for peace and progress in the region.
Pakistan state television broadcaster footage of PM Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari welcoming President Tokayev upon arrival at Noor Khan Air Base in the Pakistani garrison city of Rawalpindi on Tuesday evening.
"The visit will provide the two sides an important and timely opportunity to undertake a comprehensive review of bilateral relations, discuss new avenues for broadening cooperation, particularly in trade, logistics, regional connectivity, people-to-people contacts, and explore collaboration at regional and international forums," the Pakistani foreign ministry said.
Relations between Pakistan and Kazakhstan are rooted in shared Islamic heritage and a growing strategic partnership, with Pakistan offering landlocked Central Asian republics access to southern seaports for global trade. Pakistan was among the first countries to recognize Kazakhstan when it gained independence in December 1991 and formally established diplomatic relations with it on Feb. 24, 1992.
The two countries have held regular interactions over the past couple of years on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meetings and other international events. Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister Murat Nurtleu visited Pakistan in September 2025 to discuss economic and trade cooperation with Islamabad.
Islamabad and Astana engage with each other to promote business and political ties via three forums mainly, which are: Bilateral Political Consultations, the Intergovernmental Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation, and the Joint Business Council.
According to the government of Kazakhstan, bilateral trade between the two countries amounted to $53.7 million in 2024. Pakistan's main exports to Kazakhstan include citrus fruits, pharmaceutical products, garments, soap, sports equipment and gear and others.
Kazakhstan’s exports to Pakistan primarily include onions and garlic, dried leguminous vegetables, oats, buckwheat and other cereal grains, seeds and fruits of other oil-bearing crops, among others.
