Economy tracker
IMF & Pakistan
Follow Pakistan’s IMF programme, reviews, financing decisions and the policy changes shaping the country’s economy.
The reporting trail
Page 4 of 6
Pakistan / Business & FinancePlanning Ministry asks PM for seat in Pakistan's core IMF team as fourth review talks begin
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal formally asked PM Shehbaz to include his ministry in the core team for IMF negotiations, ahead of the fourth review talks starting 23 September.
Pakistan / Business & FinancePakistan, IMF to begin fourth review talks next week with energy reforms in focus
Pakistan and the IMF will begin talks next week for the fourth economic review, with energy reforms, privatisation and electricity circular debt on the agenda.
Pakistan / Business & FinanceMoody's upgrades Pakistan's credit rating to B3 on improving stability
Moody's raised Pakistan's sovereign credit rating to B3 from Caa1 with a stable outlook, citing stronger reserves, debt affordability and governance expectations.
Pakistan / Business & FinanceS&P upgrades Pakistan's sovereign credit rating to 'B' after nine years
S&P Global Ratings raised Pakistan's long-term sovereign credit rating to 'B' from 'B-', the highest in seven years, citing reforms, rebuilt reserves and fiscal consolidation.
Pakistan / Business & FinanceBudget debate: government defends 2026-27 plan as opposition seeks relief
Government lawmakers called the 2026-27 federal budget the best possible plan, while opposition members demanded salary increases, relief and more farm spending.
Pakistan / Business & FinanceNEC backs Centre-province fiscal compact as Pakistan budget nears
Pakistan's National Economic Council met on 10 June 2026 and endorsed sweeping development-spending cuts as the Centre moved to retain up to Rs1.7tr from the provinces.
Pakistan / Business & FinancePakistan delays budget again as Centre and provinces spar over NFC
The government and PPP agreed a broad budget framework on 8 June 2026, but the budget was pushed to 12 June amid a dispute over Rs1.2 trillion in provincial shares.
Pakistan / Business & FinancePakistan budget delayed again as PM Shehbaz and Bilawal ease tensions
The federal budget for FY2026-27 was postponed again after PM Shehbaz Sharif met PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the PPP signalled support.
Pakistan / Business & FinancePPP raises tax and revenue concerns with Dar before federal budget
The PPP told Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar it wants a broader tax base rather than fresh levies on the same classes, two days before the 10 June budget.
Pakistan / Business & FinanceBudget postponed to June 10 as coalition and IMF talks stall
Pakistan pushed its FY2026-27 federal budget from June 5 to June 10 after the government and the PPP agreed on a new date while spending talks with the IMF stayed unresolved.
Pakistan / Business & FinancePakistan weighs tax relief for salaried workers and firms despite IMF pressure
Pakistan is considering tax relief for salaried workers earning Rs150,000–200,000 a month and for businesses in the budget due on 5 June 2026, officials say.
Pakistan / Business & FinanceIndustry leaders warn high interest rates are stifling growth
Pakistani industry leaders warned that further monetary tightening and high borrowing costs are choking private-sector credit and industrial growth.