What has Pakistan agreed with the IMF?

Pakistan has agreed with the International Monetary Fund on the situations to release $1.1 billion in vital funding, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday, adding that the payout turned into delayed due to “ordinary procedures”.

Below are the key factors Pakistani authorities say they have already reached agreement on with the IMF: The government will put into effect monetary measures, such as taxation, to raise Rs170 billion really worth of revenue.

The government’s current commitments to increase petroleum levies may be completed. Diesel levies will be raised twice by five rupees in line with litre on every occasion on March 1 and April 1.

Energy reforms suggested by way of the IMF might be discussed and permitted by using Pakistan’s cabinet. This could include Pakistan completely slashing its round debt – a form of public debt that builds up in the power sector due to subsidies and unpaid payments.

Eliminating circular debt entirely turned into no longer a right away requirement. In the meantime, Pakistan would no longer upload any round debt related to fuel.Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves have fallen to the lowest level in 10 years and cover only 3 weeks’ worth of imports. In the week ending Feb three, the State Bank of Pakistan overseas currency reserves shrank to $2.917 billion, down $one hundred seventy million from the preceding week.

Inflation

Inflation has averaged a report 25.4% inside the seven months of the present day fiscal 12 months starting July as opposed to 10.Three% within the equal length of the preceding yr. The patron rate index rose 27.Five% 12 months-on-year in January, its highest in nearly half of a century.

Last month, the significant bank raised its key interest charge by using 100 basis factors to 17% in a bid to rein in constantly excessive inflation, and stated attaining charge balance was key to accomplishing sustainable monetary boom in the future. The bank has raised the important thing rate via a total 725 bps when you consider that January 2022.

Current account deficit

Pakistan’s cutting-edge account deficit shrank to around $400 million in December 2022 from $1.Nine billion a 12 months in advance, as the authorities slashed imports in a bid to avert an external bills disaster.The ECC authorized the debt rescheduling contract with Russia to the music of $14.Five million as a part of the G-20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) of 2020.

This debt alleviation changed into announced in April 2020 for IDA eligible nations to mitigate the socioeconomic impact of Covid-19.

So some distance, 37 debt rescheduling agreements with 15 creditor countries have been signed.

In order to clean the backlog of the Benazir Income Support Programme, the ECC authorised a Rs40 billion provide for the beneficiaries, taking the whole allocation to Rs400 billion.

A sum of Rs12 billion might visit choose the additional stipend of Rs833 per month per own family for human beings of age 50 years and above, taking the total gain to Rs3,067 consistent with month. The underneath 50 years of age beneficiaries could keep getting Rs2,233 in line with month.

A sum of Rs22 billion could visit clear the arrears of the flood alleviation cash assistance. An amount of Rs5 billion were given for two conditional grants for fitness and schooling of the youngsters of the beneficiaries.