RIYADH: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed on Sunday to put Pakistan’s economy back on track through structural reforms, strict fiscal discipline and prudent policies to ensure macro-economic stability and sustained economic growth.
He was talking to Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva, on the margins of the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh.
This was the first meeting between the Prime Minister and the IMF chief since his re-election. They last met in Paris, France in June 2023 on the sidelines of the Summit for New Global Financial Pact.
The Prime Minister thanked Georgieva for her support to Pakistan in securing the $3 billion Standby Arrangement from the IMF last year that is now nearing its completion. The IMF Executive Board is likely to meet tomorrow to decide on the final tranche of $1.1 billion under the Standby Arrangement, according to Radio Pakistan.
New IMF Programme for Pakistan Discussed
Both sides also discussed Pakistan entering into another IMF programme to ensure that the gains made in the past year are consolidated and its economic growth trajectory remains positive.
The Managing Director shared her institution’s perspective on the ongoing programme with Islamabad, including the review process.
Shehbaz Sharif also extended a cordial invitation to Kristalina Georgieva to visit Pakistan at her convenience.
