Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will hold policy-level talks from today (Monday) as technical discussions have concluded.
Harald Finger will lead the IMF delegation for policy-level discussions which are scheduled to take place till November 20.
The Pakistani delegation will include secretary finance, chairman federal board of revenue (FBR) and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Tariq Bajwa among other officials.
During the discussions, IMF will review Pakistan’s monetary and fiscal policies as well as its monetary needs in keeping with the current account deficit.
The international money lender will also review SBP’s financial independence and FBR’s performance.
According to sources, IMF may recommend measures to increase exports, boost the power sector and increase tax receipts.
Furthermore, sources said that Pakistan may ask IMF for up to $6 billion.
The IMF team arrived in Pakistan on November 7. During the technical talks between the country and the international money lender which took place from November 7 to November 9, data pertaining to performance in various sectors was presented.
Pakistan had formally approached IMF in October for loans.
Last month, IMF chief Christine Lagarde had said that she met Finance Minister Asad Umar, SBP Governor Tariq Bajwa and members of their economic team during which Pakistan formally requested for financial assistance.
