Pakistan excluded from IMF agenda until September 18

ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released its executive board meeting schedule until September 18, 2024, and Pakistan is conspicuously absent from the agenda.

Despite Pakistan’s urgent need for external funding to stabilize its economy, the IMF has not scheduled a meeting to discuss the country’s 37-month Extended Fund Facility Arrangement (EFF) worth $7 billion.

Although Pakistan and the IMF reached an agreement on the loan program in July, the Executive Board’s validation is still pending. The program aims to maintain macroeconomic stability, reduce inflation, and promote private sector growth.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani government is seeking to secure a rollover of $12 billion in loans from key allies, including China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

The absence of Pakistan from the IMF’s meeting schedule raises concerns about the country’s ability to secure the necessary funding to address its economic challenges.