IMF delegation to arrive in Pakistan today, budget talks to begin tomorrow

The preparation of the new federal budget has entered a crucial phase. An IMF delegation will arrive in Pakistan today and formal budget negotiations will begin tomorrow. According to sources, these negotiations will continue for about a week and the new budget will be prepared keeping in mind the IMF’s conditions and consultations.

The Ministry of Finance has already accelerated the preparation of budget proposals so that answers to every question will be ready during the negotiations. The agenda of the talks includes tax targets, development spending, proposals to reduce the budget deficit and ways to increase revenue. There will also be separate consultations on tax reforms.

In practical terms, these negotiations will determine how much the tax burden on the common man will increase in the coming fiscal year, where government spending will be cut and how much money will be received for development projects. It is Pakistan’s compulsion to adhere to the IMF conditions because it is necessary to continue the loan program.