The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has attached 11 new conditions to Pakistan’s $7 billion bailout programme, taking the total number of conditions under the facility to 75 over the past two years, according to a latest report. The latest requirements span fiscal policy, governance reforms and private sector regulation. Among the key conditions, Pakistan has committed that its Parliament will approve the 2026–27 budget in line with the IMF programme targets. This marks the second consecutive year that the country’s federal budget will be passed under IMF guidance.&nbsp;The development came as the State Bank of Pakistan confirmed it had received $1 billion from Saudi Arabia’s finance ministry on April 20, providing short-term support to the country’s foreign exchange reserves.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fact-check-did-the-pope-endorse-iran-s-nuclear-ambitions-decoding-trump-s-latest-vatican-attack-1776757709073">Fact check: Did the Pope endorse Iran’s nuclear ambitions? Decoding Trump’s latest Vatican attack</a>&nbsp;Government officials told The Express Tribune that the staff-level agreement reached last month was contingent upon Islamabad accepting additional conditions during the programme’s third review. So far, the IMF has disbursed $3 billion, with a fourth tranche of $1 billion expected in early May, pending board approval.&nbsp;As part of structural reforms, Pakistan has agreed to amend laws governing Special Economic Zones and Special Technology Zones by June 2027. These changes aim to phase out existing fiscal incentives and transition towards cost-based incentives. Authorities have also pledged to eliminate all such incentives by 2035, subject to IMF satisfaction.&nbsp;Further commitments include prohibiting Export Processing Zones from selling goods in the domestic market by September this year, a move intended to curb tax evasion. The government has also assured the IMF it will not introduce new zones until ongoing negotiations conclude.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-claims-it-destroyed-russian-drones-from-distance-of-500-km-a-record-in-long-range-drone-warfare-1776759639898">Ukraine claims it destroyed Russian drones from distance of 500 km</a>&nbsp;Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb reportedly assured IMF officials during talks in Washington that Pakistan would pursue a fiscally consolidated budget and avoid targeting aggressive economic growth in the next fiscal year.&nbsp;In the energy sector, Islamabad has accepted new conditions mandating regular adjustments to electricity and gas tariffs. These include quarterly tariff adjustments and monthly fuel cost revisions, along with semiannual gas price updates to ensure cost recovery, as determined by regulators.&nbsp;The IMF has also pushed for reforms in taxation and governance. The Federal Board of Revenue will centralise audit case selection and implement a standardised audit policy by June. Meanwhile, procurement rules will be amended by September to remove preferential treatment for state-owned enterprises in public contracts. To mitigate the impact of rising energy costs and taxation, Pakistan has agreed to increase payments under the Benazir Income Support Programme from ₹14,500 to ₹19,500 starting January 2027.&nbsp;Additionally, the government will establish a Pakistan Regulatory Registry by June next year to streamline business regulations and improve the investment climate. The IMF is also urging a gradual easing of foreign exchange restrictions through a phased roadmap.&nbsp;

The IMF added 11 conditions to Pakistan’s $7 billion bailout, totalling 75. Requirements include budget alignment, energy tariff hikes, and tax reforms, despite a $1 billion boost from Saudi Arabia.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has attached 11 new conditions to Pakistan’s $7 billion bailout programme, taking the total number of conditions under the facility to 75 over the past two years, according to a latest report. The latest requirements span fiscal policy, governance reforms and private sector regulation. Among the key conditions, Pakistan has committed that its Parliament will approve the 2026–27 budget in line with the IMF programme targets. This marks the second consecutive year that the country’s federal budget will be passed under IMF guidance. The development came as the State Bank of Pakistan confirmed it had received $1 billion from Saudi Arabia’s finance ministry on April 20, providing short-term support to the country’s foreign exchange reserves. Also read: Fact check: Did the Pope endorse Iran’s nuclear ambitions? Decoding Trump’s latest Vatican attack Government officials told The Express Tribune that the staff-level agreement reached last month was contingent upon Islamabad accepting additional conditions during the programme’s third review. So far, the IMF has disbursed $3 billion, with a fourth tranche of $1 billion expected in early May, pending board approval. As part of structural reforms, Pakistan has agreed to amend laws governing Special Economic Zones and Special Technology Zones by June 2027. These changes aim to phase out existing fiscal incentives and transition towards cost-based incentives. Authorities have also pledged to eliminate all such incentives by 2035, subject to IMF satisfaction. Further commitments include prohibiting Export Processing Zones from selling goods in the domestic market by September this year, a move intended to curb tax evasion. The government has also assured the IMF it will not introduce new zones until ongoing negotiations conclude. Also read: Ukraine claims it destroyed Russian drones from distance of 500 km Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb reportedly assured IMF officials during talks in Washington that Pakistan would pursue a fiscally consolidated budget and avoid targeting aggressive economic growth in the next fiscal year. In the energy sector, Islamabad has accepted new conditions mandating regular adjustments to electricity and gas tariffs. These include quarterly tariff adjustments and monthly fuel cost revisions, along with semiannual gas price updates to ensure cost recovery, as determined by regulators. The IMF has also pushed for reforms in taxation and governance. The Federal Board of Revenue will centralise audit case selection and implement a standardised audit policy by June. Meanwhile, procurement rules will be amended by September to remove preferential treatment for state-owned enterprises in public contracts. To mitigate the impact of rising energy costs and taxation, Pakistan has agreed to increase payments under the Benazir Income Support Programme from ₹14,500 to ₹19,500 starting January 2027. Additionally, the government will establish a Pakistan Regulatory Registry by June next year to streamline business regulations and improve the investment climate. The IMF is also urging a gradual easing of foreign exchange restrictions through a phased roadmap.

The IMF added 11 conditions to Pakistan’s $7 billion bailout, totalling 75. Requirements include budget alignment, energy tariff hikes, and tax reforms, despite a $1 billion boost from Saudi Arabia.

IMF set 11 new conditions for Pakistan’s $7 billion bailout. Details here

In return for the &nbsp;$7 billion bailout programme to curb corruption, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) listed 11 new conditions for Pakistan. The bailout programme is also for improving governance and identifying leaks in government departments in Islamabad. The conditions came just a day after the IMF on Thursday (Dec 11) released the $1.2 billion as part of its ongoing loan programmes aimed at building climate resilience in Pakistan.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-wants-revenge-virologist-who-claimed-covid-was-developed-in-wuhan-says-beijing-is-using-her-family-to-lure-her-back-from-us-1765204872566">China wants REVENGE? Virologist, who claimed coronavirus was developed in Wuhan, says Beijing is using her family to 'lure' her back from US</a>&nbsp;What are the IMF conditions?&nbsp;The fresh 11 conditions are aimed at mitigating corruption vulnerabilities, bringing more transparency in the government and bureaucracy and ensuring liberalisation of the sugar market.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-russia-recruiting-africans-to-fight-in-ukraine-war-ex-south-african-president-s-daughter-accused-of-luring-17-men-for-this-1764938371858">Is Russia recruiting Africans to fight in Ukraine war? Ex-South African president’s daughter accused of luring 17 men for this</a>&nbsp;One of the conditions said that Pakistan has to furnish the details of the assets of high-ranking bureaucrats on the government website by December 2026. This is to bring transparency and identify mismatches between income and assets.The Shehbaz Sharif government has also been asked to publish an action plan to curb corruption in 10 identified departments.&nbsp;The organisation has also asked Pakistan to study in detail the remittance costs and identify bottlenecks to cross-border payments.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zohran-mamdani-who-won-nyc-mayor-polls-on-promise-to-make-city-affordable-set-to-move-into-100mn-mansion-with-wife-for-safety-1765296231524">Zohran Mamdani, who won NYC mayor polls on promise to make City ‘affordable’, set to move into $100mn mansion with wife for ‘safety’</a>&nbsp;

The conditions came just a day after the IMF on Thursday (Dec 11) released the $1.2 billion as part of its ongoing loan programmes aimed at building climate resilience in Pakistan.



In return for the $7 billion bailout programme to curb corruption, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) listed 11 new conditions for Pakistan. The bailout programme is also for improving governance and identifying leaks in government departments in Islamabad. The conditions came just a day after the IMF on Thursday (Dec 11) released the $1.2 billion as part of its ongoing loan programmes aimed at building climate resilience in Pakistan. Also read: China wants REVENGE? Virologist, who claimed coronavirus was developed in Wuhan, says Beijing is using her family to 'lure' her back from US What are the IMF conditions? The fresh 11 conditions are aimed at mitigating corruption vulnerabilities, bringing more transparency in the government and bureaucracy and ensuring liberalisation of the sugar market. Also read: Is Russia recruiting Africans to fight in Ukraine war? Ex-South African president’s daughter accused of luring 17 men for this One of the conditions said that Pakistan has to furnish the details of the assets of high-ranking bureaucrats on the government website by December 2026. This is to bring transparency and identify mismatches between income and assets. The Shehbaz Sharif government has also been asked to publish an action plan to curb corruption in 10 identified departments. The organisation has also asked Pakistan to study in detail the remittance costs and identify bottlenecks to cross-border payments. Also read: Zohran Mamdani, who won NYC mayor polls on promise to make City ‘affordable’, set to move into $100mn mansion with wife for ‘safety’

The conditions came just a day after the IMF on Thursday (Dec 11) released the $1.2 billion as part of its ongoing loan programmes aimed at building climate resilience in Pakistan.&nbsp;

IMF nods $7bn bailout for Pakistan, BUT has 11 new conditions. Details inside

Pakistan has failed in achieving key economic targets, but its finance minister used the occasion to discuss the dire state of affairs to blame India in the context of its recent bailout package tranche from IMF. The economic survey of Pakistan revealed some shocking numbers, which give an indication of how badly the South Asian nation has been performing. But instead of facing reality, the Pakistani Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb found time to blame, without proof, an unnamed 'Indian executive director' of IMF for trying to ‘block’ the IMF package.But first, here is a look at the economic situation, as revealed in the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024-25 unveiled by Aurgangzeb on Monday (June 9).&nbsp;<h2>Pakistan misses GDP target, crop production down</h2><h2>&nbsp;</h2>The key aspect of the economic survey was the GDP failing to meet the target. Pakistan's GDP growth stood at 2.68 per cent, far below the target of 3.56 per cent.&nbsp;&nbsp;Though slightly better than the previous year, the GDP growth was less than the country's five-year average of 3.3 per cent, and long-term average of over 4.5 per cent. &nbsp;<h2>Pakistan minister takes global economy as alibi as most targets missed</h2>&nbsp;While explaining the poor performance of the economy, Aurangzeb cited global economic headwinds.&nbsp;Almost all key economic targets were missed. On the crop production, the shortfall was blamed on a 35 per cent water shortage, revised down to 11-12 per cent. Both industries and services underperformed, failing to meet targets despite moderate growth.&nbsp;The country's large-scale manufacturing continued to struggle for the third straight year.&nbsp;&nbsp;Yet, the Pakistani finance minister put up a brave front, calling it a gradual recovery even as he promised a turnaround next year.<h2> Crop production down</h2>&nbsp;One glaring aspect in Pakistan's economic survey was the fall in crop production. Major crop production was down 13.5 per cent. The survey blamed it on a 'water crisis'.&nbsp;The survey showed that wheat, cotton, and maize production went down by 13.5 per cent, while cotton ginning fell by 19 per cent. &nbsp;<h2>Blaming 'Indian IMF executive director'</h2>&nbsp;But what stuck out like a sore thumb in the finance minister's presentation of the survey was the unfounded allegations targeting India, indirectly blaming it for its internal economic mismanagement.&nbsp;He was speaking in the context of the recent $1 billion tranche released by the IMF. Without offering any proof, or naming anyone, Aurangzeb claimed that 'the Indian executive director at the IMF' tried to keep Pakistan bailout discussion off the agenda of the IMF board.&nbsp;He claimed that the Indian official tried to block the second instalment of the bailout package, as well as another $1.4 billion Resilience and Sustainability Facility for Pakistan's climate crisis financing.

Instead of facing reality, the Pakistani Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb found time to blame, without proof, an unnamed Indian executive director of IMF for trying to block the IMF tranche.

Pakistan has failed in achieving key economic targets, but its finance minister used the occasion to discuss the dire state of affairs to blame India in the context of its recent bailout package tranche from IMF. The economic survey of Pakistan revealed some shocking numbers, which give an indication of how badly the South Asian nation has been performing. But instead of facing reality, the Pakistani Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb found time to blame, without proof, an unnamed 'Indian executive director' of IMF for trying to ‘block’ the IMF package. But first, here is a look at the economic situation, as revealed in the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024-25 unveiled by Aurgangzeb on Monday (June 9). Pakistan misses GDP target, crop production down The key aspect of the economic survey was the GDP failing to meet the target. Pakistan's GDP growth stood at 2.68 per cent, far below the target of 3.56 per cent. Though slightly better than the previous year, the GDP growth was less than the country's five-year average of 3.3 per cent, and long-term average of over 4.5 per cent. Pakistan minister takes global economy as alibi as most targets missed While explaining the poor performance of the economy, Aurangzeb cited global economic headwinds. Almost all key economic targets were missed. On the crop production, the shortfall was blamed on a 35 per cent water shortage, revised down to 11-12 per cent. Both industries and services underperformed, failing to meet targets despite moderate growth. The country's large-scale manufacturing continued to struggle for the third straight year. Yet, the Pakistani finance minister put up a brave front, calling it a gradual recovery even as he promised a turnaround next year. Crop production down One glaring aspect in Pakistan's economic survey was the fall in crop production. Major crop production was down 13.5 per cent. The survey blamed it on a 'water crisis'. The survey showed that wheat, cotton, and maize production went down by 13.5 per cent, while cotton ginning fell by 19 per cent. Blaming 'Indian IMF executive director' But what stuck out like a sore thumb in the finance minister's presentation of the survey was the unfounded allegations targeting India, indirectly blaming it for its internal economic mismanagement. He was speaking in the context of the recent $1 billion tranche released by the IMF. Without offering any proof, or naming anyone, Aurangzeb claimed that 'the Indian executive director at the IMF' tried to keep Pakistan bailout discussion off the agenda of the IMF board. He claimed that the Indian official tried to block the second instalment of the bailout package, as well as another $1.4 billion Resilience and Sustainability Facility for Pakistan's climate crisis financing.

Instead of facing reality, the Pakistani Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb found time to blame, without proof, an unnamed 'Indian executive director' of IMF for trying to block the IMF tranche.

Pak minister blames India, without proof, on IMF tranche issue even as its economy misses crop production, GDP targets

Amid the ongoing economic struggle, Pakistan has officially given a massive hike to top lawmakers, just a month after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a bailout of $1 billion. As per the latest report, the Shehbaz Sharif-led government has raised the monthly salary of the National Assembly speaker and the Senate chairman to ₹1.3 million (approx. $12k).&nbsp;Previously, the speaker was getting ₹205,000 per month. &nbsp;&nbsp;The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs issued the notification on May 29, but details surfaced on Friday, Samaa TV reported.&nbsp;Not just that, both officials will get an additional 50 per cent temporary allowance, as per the official notification.The revised salary structure will be effective retrospectively from January 1, 2025.&nbsp;There are also reports that he federal ministers approved a summary of the salary increments for themselves and ministers of state through circulation.&nbsp;IMF approves loan after Pahalgam attack&nbsp;The massive hike in salaries came after the IMF approved a huge bailout of $1 billion to Pakistan, weeks after the Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir in which 26 people were killed.&nbsp;"This decision allows for an immediate disbursement of around USD 1 billion (SDR 760 million), bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to about USD 2.1 billion (SDR 1.52 billion)," the IMF said.&nbsp;What’s Pakistan's economic condition?&nbsp;Pakistan has become the world's fourth-largest borrower from the IMF. The country is stuck under a $10.4 billion loan, clearly showing Pakistan is anything but an economically stable country.&nbsp;As per the data till March 2023, Inflation in Pakistan touched 35.37 per cent. This was the highest in nearly 50 years in the country's history.&nbsp;Pakistan is also going through a crisis as its public debt continues to spiral, with most of its budget being eaten up by loan installments.&nbsp;

Pakistan grants 500% salary hike for top lawmakers, month after IMF’s $1bn bailout | All you need to know 


Amid the ongoing economic struggle, Pakistan has officially given a massive hike to top lawmakers, just a month after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a bailout of $1 billion. As per the latest report, the Shehbaz Sharif-led government has raised the monthly salary of the National Assembly speaker and the Senate chairman to ₹1.3 million (approx. $12k). Previously, the speaker was getting ₹205,000 per month. The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs issued the notification on May 29, but details surfaced on Friday, Samaa TV reported. Not just that, both officials will get an additional 50 per cent temporary allowance, as per the official notification. The revised salary structure will be effective retrospectively from January 1, 2025. There are also reports that he federal ministers approved a summary of the salary increments for themselves and ministers of state through circulation. IMF approves loan after Pahalgam attack The massive hike in salaries came after the IMF approved a huge bailout of $1 billion to Pakistan, weeks after the Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir in which 26 people were killed. "This decision allows for an immediate disbursement of around USD 1 billion (SDR 760 million), bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to about USD 2.1 billion (SDR 1.52 billion)," the IMF said. What’s Pakistan's economic condition? Pakistan has become the world's fourth-largest borrower from the IMF. The country is stuck under a $10.4 billion loan, clearly showing Pakistan is anything but an economically stable country. As per the data till March 2023, Inflation in Pakistan touched 35.37 per cent. This was the highest in nearly 50 years in the country's history. Pakistan is also going through a crisis as its public debt continues to spiral, with most of its budget being eaten up by loan installments.

Amid the ongoing economic struggle, Pakistan has officially given a massive hike to top lawmakers, just a month after the IMF approved a bailout of $1 billion. The Shehbaz Sharif-led government has raised the monthly salary of the National Assembly speaker and the Senate chairman to ₹1.3 million.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Pakistan grants 500% salary hike for top lawmakers, month after IMF’s $1bn bailout | All you need to know