KARACHI: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has applauded Pakistan’s commitment to conducting external governance and corruption evaluation to strengthen its systems, according to a statement this week, adding its assessment team, which recently concluded its visit to the country, will return later this year.
A three-member IMF mission carried out the Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Assessment (GCD) in Pakistan from February 6 to 14 under the $7 billion loan program secured in September 2024.
According to Pakistan’s finance ministry, it will prepare a report recommending actions to address corruption vulnerabilities and strengthen integrity and governance, adding that its findings will help shape structural reforms.
The IMF said the team had done the “groundwork” for the assessment at the request of Pakistani authorities, surveying several critical areas.
“The IMF appreciates the commitment of the Government of Pakistan to this exercise and looks forward to continuing our collaboration,” the international lending agency said on its website in a statement prepared on February 18.
“The IMF team for the GCD assessment will return to Pakistan later this year to continue gathering information and exploring opportunities to strengthen governance, integrity, and economic outcomes in preparation for the eventual assessment,” it added.
The statement said the visiting team’s focus was to preliminarily assess governance and corruption vulnerabilities across six core state functions, including fiscal and central bank governance and operations, financial sector oversight, market regulation, rule of law and anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML-CFT).
During its mission, the IMF team engaged with the Finance Division, Federal Board of Revenue, State Bank of Pakistan, Auditor General of Pakistan, Securities and Exchange Commission, Ministry of Law and Justice and the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Additionally, its members met with a range of other stakeholders, including business associations, civil society organizations and international development partners.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf also wrote to the team, raising grievances related to the last general elections, which it claims were rigged, and concerns about the judiciary.
IMF commends Pakistan’s governance and anti-corruption reform efforts, plans follow-up visit
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IMF commends Pakistan’s governance and anti-corruption reform efforts, plans follow-up visit
- A three-member IMF mission performed initial assessment during a visit to Pakistan from Feb. 6 to 14
- The team evaluated six critical areas, including fiscal and central bank governance, rule of law in Pakistan
China backs Pakistan in fight against militancy after deadly Balochistan attacks
- China is a major ally and investor in Pakistan and has pledged over $65 billion in major infrastructure projects, including in Balochistan
- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian says ‘we mourn for lives lost, and our hearts go out to injured and those who lost loved ones’
ISLAMABAD: China condemns the recent attacks that killed more than 200 people in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday, reaffirming Beijing’s support for Pakistan in its fight against militancy.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) group launched coordinated attacks in several cities across Balochistan on Saturday, killing 33 civilians and 17 security personnel. Officials said 117 militants were killed in skirmishes and follow-up operations.
Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, is the site of a decades-long insurgency waged by Baloch separatist groups who often attack security forces, foreigners and non-local Pakistanis and kidnap government officials.
China is a major ally and investor in Pakistan and has pledged over $65 billion in investment in road, infrastructure and development projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
“China strongly condemns the [Balochistan] attacks... We mourn for the lives lost, and our hearts go out to the injured and those who lost their loved ones,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a press briefing on Tuesday.
“China firmly opposes any form of terrorism and will as always firmly support Pakistan in combating terrorism, maintaining solidarity and social stability, and protecting the safety of the people.”
Chinese nationals working in Pakistan have often been targeted by militants, particularly in the southwestern Balochistan province, where China is developing a deep seaport that is touted as the crown jewel of CPEC.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said last week the attacks, claimed by the separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), were planned from India. New Delhi rejected the allegation as “baseless,” saying Islamabad was attempting to deflect attention from its internal challenges.
Balochistan is home to vast reserves of minerals and hydrocarbons. Separatist militant groups such as the BLA blame Islamabad for exploiting Balochistan’s natural resources and denying locals a share in them. The military and civilian government reject these allegations and say they are investing in the province’s development.
