The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Executive Board expected to hold a meeting on December 7 to approve the staff-level agreement (SLA) with Pakistan and release the next tranche of $700 million to the country under the $3 billion standby arrangement.
On the other hand, the caretaker federal set-up has decided to prepare a blueprint for the new government to continue the economic policies.
In this connection, the finance ministry sources said discussions for a new loan programme could begin with the IMF.
Preparations are being made to further increase the electricity and gas prices before the IMF Executive Board meeting.
Digital markets, property and real estate sector will also be brought into the tax net.
The finance ministry sources said $25 billion would be borrowed from friendly countries in the Gulf and China as well commercial banks to meet the external financing needs of this financial year.
They added that the caretaker government had assured the IMF that the next general elections would be held on time.
Besides, they continued that China had assured Pakistan of a further loan rollover for two years.
Read the full story at the express tribune website.
