ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is set to kick off its fourth review under the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) with a series of discussions and Article IV consultations beginning September 22 in Karachi and Islamabad. The negotiations are expected to span approximately two weeks, focusing on assessing the country’s economic progress and program implementation.
The upcoming review will coincide with the first Article IV consultation since 2024, marking a significant step in IMF-Pakistan engagement. The consultation will evaluate Pakistan’s economic policies and projections, providing an overview of the nation’s fiscal health. According to sources, the last executive board review was conducted in September 2024.
IMF Resident Mission Chief Mahir Binci confirmed that the mission is scheduled to visit Pakistan soon, emphasizing that the review process typically lasts around two weeks. Pakistani officials have also indicated that the IMF team’s visit to Islamabad is imminent.
Pakistan has recently submitted revised import data, aligning with IMF requirements and resolving previous discrepancies worth billions of dollars. The IMF team will also review the implementation of the Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Assessment (GCD) report, which aims to improve transparency and accountability.
Article IV consultations are a routine part of IMF’s oversight, providing an assessment of a member country’s economic stability and policy framework. The results of these discussions will be presented to the IMF Executive Board and made publicly available along with the review report, offering a comprehensive overview of Pakistan’s economic outlook.
