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IMF & Pakistan

One place for the decisions behind Pakistan’s IMF programme: review missions, financing milestones, fiscal commitments and what each development means for households, markets and public policy.

67 reportsLatest 30 October 2026
An aerial view of a refinery complex in Karachi, with clusters of white storage tanks, pipe runs and access roads beside a broad creek, and plumes of white steam rising from the plant.

Latest development

30 October 2026
Newest report

Petroleum levy raised Rs4.4 trillion in four years, government rules out an immediate cut

The government says the petroleum levy raised Rs4.4 trillion from 2022-23 to 2025-26, is part of its IMF fiscal targets, and that any phased reduction waits for the next budget.

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The International Monetary Fund's headquarters building in Washington, a concrete office block with deeply recessed square windows above a plaza and street corner with traffic lights, trees and parked cars.Pakistan / Business & Finance

Pakistan's AML authority adds piracy to money-laundering offences and lifts cash threshold to Rs3m

On 27 October Pakistan's AML-CFT Authority made piracy a money-laundering predicate offence, gave the virtual asset regulator reporting powers and set the cash threshold at Rs3m.

A wide concrete office block with rows of windows standing behind roadside trees, with cars passing on the road in front of it.Pakistan / Business & Finance

SBP raises policy rate to 12% as Middle East energy costs revive inflation risk

The State Bank of Pakistan raised its policy rate by 50 basis points to 12% on 26 October 2026, effective from 27 October, citing energy-driven inflation risk.

The entrance sign of the World Bank Group headquarters building in Washington, D.C., seen between two office towers in daylight.Pakistan / Business & Finance

World Bank sees Pakistan growth stuck near 4%, urges flexible rupee before 2029 vote

The World Bank's Pakistan Development Outlook projects 4.2% growth in FY2027-28 and 4.4% in the 2029 election year, and says managed rupee stability risks renewal of past crises.

A wide curved modernist office building of pale concrete and horizontal window bands, seen across an open plaza under a bright sky.Pakistan / Business & Finance

IMF's Azour tells Pakistan to make taxes fairer, as salaried pay rises to Rs629bn

IMF director Jihad Azour urged a fairer, broader tax system at an Islamabad workshop, where FBR data showed salaried contributions at Rs629bn and realty collections down 38%.

A pale grey Wuling Bingo electric hatchback parked on a city street beside a bicycle and a shopfront.Pakistan / Business & Finance

Pakistan PM approves Auto Policy 2026-31 draft with 1% EV sales tax

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the Auto Policy 2026-31 draft on 20 October, proposing a 1% sales tax on battery EVs and a levy on larger petrol cars.

The International Monetary Fund headquarters in Washington, DC, photographed in 2017 as a wide, low-rise stone building under a clear sky.Pakistan / Business & Finance

SBP Governor tells investors reserves rebuilt to $21.5bn without new debt

SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad told foreign investors in Bangkok that reserves recovered from under $3bn to $21.5bn and forward liabilities fell from $5.7bn to below $1bn.

The Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, photographed from the side in July 2023 under a clear sky.Pakistan / Business & Finance

Pakistan withstood Iran war energy shock, Aurangzeb tells AFP in Bangkok

Finance Minister Aurangzeb told AFP in Bangkok on Saturday that Pakistan withstood the first-order Iran war energy shock but Gulf infrastructure attacks are worrying.

The State Bank of Pakistan Building on Mall Road, Lahore, a tall stone structure photographed in 2017 under a clear blue sky.International — Region / Business & Finance

Pakistan to chair World Bank and IMF boards in 2027, first time since 1953

Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema was named the 2027 chair of both boards of governors on 16 October at the Bangkok annual meetings; Pakistan last held the role in 1953.

Low-angle view of a large white government building of the Pakistan Secretariat in Islamabad with rows of windows and a colonnaded facade under a clear sky.Pakistan / Business & Finance

FBR moves 2026 income-tax return deadline to 31 October in second extension

The FBR extended the Tax Year 2026 income-tax return filing deadline from 15 October to 31 October, its second extension in a month, after trade bodies sought more time.

An audience seated in a darkened conference hall looking at a brightly lit stage during a cryptocurrency and blockchain conference, with purple and blue stage lighting and a large presentation screen at the back.Pakistan / Technology & Telecom

PVARA's Bilal bin Saqib takes Pakistan's digital-finance push to the World Bank in Bangkok

PVARA chairman Bilal bin Saqib met IFC, Treasury, Digital & AI and Controllers leaders at the World Bank's Bangkok annual meetings on 14 October, exploring tokenised bonds.

The Sukhumvit skyline in Bangkok, showing residential and commercial towers stretching along the tree-lined boulevard at dusk.Pakistan / Business & Finance

Aurangzeb says Pakistan's fiscal deficit at 22-year low, eyes double-B sovereign rating

In Bangkok on 14 October, Aurangzeb told investors Pakistan's fiscal deficit is at a 22-year low, with growth set to top 4% in FY27.