Pakistan’s mission to secure over $2 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) took a significant step forward as virtual negotiations between the country and the global financial institution continued.

The talks, aimed at unlocking essential financial support, showed promising signs of reaching a staff-level agreement in the near future.

State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad, expressed optimism, stating, “I expect the staff-level agreement to materialise soon.” The ongoing discussions between Islamabad and the IMF were focused on several key conditions, with the Pakistani government demonstrating a willingness to accept new terms.

These included a notable reduction in import tariffs, which was anticipated to ease economic pressures in the coming years.

Sources confirmed that the government had also shown readiness to accept the IMF’s new conditions as part of the agreement.

This decision could lead to a potential reduction in the cost of imported vehicles in the near future, easing some burdens on consumers.

In the course of the discussions, the Ministry of Finance refrained from providing a specific timeframe for finalising the agreement.

However, Jameel Ahmad, the Governor of the State Bank, suggested that the next phase of the $1 billion loan programme and an additional $1.2 billion in climate financing could be secured soon.

The governor further stated that the country’s inflation rate was expected to remain at around 7 per cent for the current fiscal year.

“Inflation is likely to stay at 7 per cent,” Jameel Ahmad noted, while discussing the challenges facing the national economy.

Regarding the nation’s economic outlook, Ahmad predicted that the country’s economic growth for the year could range between 2.5 per cent and 3.5 per cent. This forecast was influenced by the ongoing negotiations and their potential outcomes.

Additionally, the revised target for remittances stood at $36 billion, as confirmed by Jameel Ahmad.

During the talks, the current account deficit target was also reviewed, with Ahmad assuring that the deficit would likely remain well below expectations. “The current account deficit will remain considerably lower than the target,” Jameel Ahmad stated.

The ongoing virtual negotiations were expected to bring Pakistan closer to a crucial agreement with the IMF, offering significant financial relief in a time of economic uncertainty.