Pakistan Reviews IMF Programme Progress as Aurangzeb Holds Washington Talks
Finance minister highlights stronger economic indicators while discussing reforms, investment and long-term financing with IMF and US officials.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb meets IMF officials during talks in Washington.
IMF programme discussions took centre stage in Washington as Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met senior International Monetary Fund (IMF) officials to review Pakistan’s economic performance and progress on key reform commitments.
According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Finance, Aurangzeb held separate meetings with IMF First Deputy Managing Director Dan Katz, Deputy Managing Director Nigel Clarke, Middle East and Central Asia Department Director Jihad Azour, and Pakistan Mission Chief Iva Petrova.
During the discussions, the finance minister reviewed Pakistan’s progress under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), and the broader IMF-backed reform agenda.
Aurangzeb highlighted improvements in Pakistan’s macroeconomic outlook, pointing to stronger fiscal and external balances, successful revenue collection, higher foreign exchange reserves, record remittances and an improved current account position.
The meetings also focused on structural reforms, including taxation, the energy sector, privatisation, tariff rationalisation, debt management, financing diversification and Pakistan’s plans to return to international capital markets.
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Both sides exchanged views on long-term economic priorities such as human capital development, women’s economic participation, demographic challenges, technology-driven growth and expanding private sector-led, export-oriented industries.
Aurangzeb thanked the IMF for recognising Pakistan’s commitment to implementing reforms and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to maintain fiscal discipline, strengthen policy credibility and continue structural reforms aimed at sustainable economic growth.
Talks with US Export-Import Bank
Separately, Aurangzeb met US Export-Import Bank President and Chairman John Jovanovic to discuss expanding economic and commercial cooperation between Pakistan and the United States.
The two sides explored opportunities to finance long-term development projects and increase bilateral trade in agricultural products, including cotton and soybeans, as well as hydrocarbons.
Aurangzeb welcomed the bank’s proposal to establish a broader strategic framework that would support priority infrastructure projects and facilitate US financing, technology, equipment and services.
Officials agreed to identify short-term projects, appoint focal persons and finalise the framework, which is expected to be signed on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2026.
Broader Economic Engagement
The finance minister’s visit to Washington is part of Pakistan’s broader effort to strengthen economic ties with the United States and international financial institutions.
Earlier this week, Aurangzeb met US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and requested a $10 billion Exchange Stabilisation Support Facility to reinforce Pakistan’s economy. He also held talks with Honeywell Technologies on plans to modernise and expand Pakistan’s refinery sector.
The visit comes as Islamabad and Washington continue negotiations over US tariffs on Pakistani exports. Following talks last year, the proposed tariff on Pakistani goods was reduced from 29 per cent to 19 per cent.
