President Asif Ali Zardari has said that Pakistan is committed to fiscal sustainability, energy sector reforms, privatisation and social protection while ensuring inclusive and green growth.
He said this during a meeting with Jihad Azour, Director of the International Monetary Fund’s Middle East and Central Asia Department, at Aiwan-e-Sadr this evening. The IMF delegation also included Iva Petrova, IMF Mission Chief for Pakistan and Mahir Binici, IMF Resident Representative for Pakistan (Country Head).
The President 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 (EFF) and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).
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.
President Zardari noted that Pakistan has moved from economic stabilisation towards recovery, with the economy reaching $452.1 billion in FY2026 and real GDP growth accelerating to 3.7 per cent, up from 3.2 per cent in FY2025. He also highlighted improvements in fiscal management, noting that the fiscal deficit had declined to 2.6 per cent of GDP in FY2025-26, while a primary surplus was recorded for the third consecutive year in FY2026.
The President reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening revenue mobilisation, improving tax administration and reforming public sector institutions as part of its broader economic reform agenda. He highlighted the government’s efforts to expand tax documentation, digitise revenue collection and curb tax evasion.
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.
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.
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb, Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, former Federal Minister Syed Naveed Qamar MNA and Secretary Finance were also present during the meeting.
