Islamabad, March 14, 2025 – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed satisfaction with Pakistan’s economic performance, offering a rare nod of approval as the country navigates its ongoing financial overhaul. In a statement highlighted by Minute Mirror on Thursday, March 13, IMF officials confirmed that no mini-budget will be imposed before June 2025, signaling confidence in Pakistan’s fiscal trajectory under its current $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) agreement.
The video report, aired amid Ramadan’s economic pressures, underscored the IMF’s contentment with reforms enacted since the 37-month EFF was secured in July 2024. “Pakistan has met key targets so far,” an IMF spokesperson noted, per the broadcast, pointing to improved revenue collection and tighter expenditure controls as reasons for the positive outlook. This respite from a mini-budget—a tool often used to plug fiscal gaps—comes as welcome news for citizens grappling with inflation, though skepticism lingers over long-term stability.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, briefing media alongside the IMF update, emphasized that discussions with the Fund remain constructive. The video cited sources confirming that the government has assured the IMF of sustained efforts to bolster economic indicators, including tax reforms and energy sector adjustments. These measures, while unpopular, have kept Pakistan on track with the EFF’s conditions, averting the need for immediate additional taxation—a move that had sparked public backlash in past reviews.
The IMF’s approval builds on a staff-level agreement reached last July, when Pakistan secured $7 billion to stabilize its economy after years of external shocks, including flood damages and global commodity price surges. Posts on X from Pakhtun Digital and Minute Mirror on March 13 echoed this sentiment, noting the IMF’s relief at no mini-budget until mid-year, a sign that quarterly targets through June are within reach. Yet, analysts caution that this optimism hinges on consistent policy execution, with past IMF praise often tempered by implementation slippages.
For ordinary Pakistanis, the news offers a brief reprieve as Eid-ul-Fitr looms, with early salary disbursements already announced to ease festive costs. However, the video avoided delving into public sentiment, leaving questions about whether IMF satisfaction translates to tangible relief. Critics argue that structural reforms—like subsidy cuts—continue to squeeze households, casting doubt on the government’s narrative of progress.
As Pakistan approaches its next IMF review, the absence of a mini-budget signals a delicate balance: meeting global lender demands while dodging domestic unrest. With the EFF set to run until mid-2027, today’s endorsement is a stepping stone, not a finish line. Stay tuned to todaypakinews.com for updates on how this economic lifeline shapes Pakistan’s future.
