President Asif Ali Zardari has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening revenue mobilization, improving tax administration and reforming public sector institutions as part of its broader economic reform agenda.
He was talking to the Director of the International Monetary Fund’s Middle East and Central Asia Department Jihad Azour, who called on him in Islamabad today.
The President highlighted government’s efforts to expand tax documentation, digitize revenue collection and curb tax evasion.
He said that Pakistan is committed to fiscal sustainability, energy sector reforms, privatization and social protection while ensuring inclusive and green growth.
He appreciated the IMF’s continued engagement with Pakistan in supporting the country’s home-grown reform agenda.
He also acknowledged the IMF leadership’s confidence in Pakistan’s efforts to implement reforms under the Extended Fund Facility and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility.
Referring to the successful conclusion of the fourth review of the EFF and the third review of the RSF, along with the staff-level agreement, the President expressed confidence in Pakistan’s continued progress towards economic recovery and stability.
Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan moved from economic stabilisation towards recovery, with the economy reaching 452.1 billion dollars in Financial Year 2025-26 and real GDP growth accelerating to 3.7 per cent, up from 3.2 per cent in Financial Year 2024-25.
He emphasised that Pakistan’s reform programme has the support of all political stakeholders and that provincial governments are contributing to meeting reform commitments and targets.
The President also underscored Pakistan’s efforts to promote peace amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
In his remarks, Jihad Azour acknowledged Pakistan’s continued engagement with the IMF under the ongoing reform programme and emphasised the importance of sustaining reform efforts to strengthen macroeconomic stability, maintain fiscal discipline and support sustainable economic growth.
The IMF delegation included IMF Mission Chief for Pakistan Iva Petrova, and IMF Resident Representative for Pakistan (Country Head) Mahir Binici.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, former Federal Minister Syed Naveed Qamar MNA and Secretary Finance were also present on this occasion.
