A technical delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has arrived in Pakistan to review the country’s public finance management and budget reforms.

The mission will hold detailed discussions with government officials on fiscal policies, audit practices, and steps toward improving transparency in expenditures.

According to official sources, the IMF team has demanded a comprehensive audit of supplementary grants issued over the past 10 years, seeking accountability and clarity on how funds were utilized.

The IMF has stressed the implementation of a fiscal discipline policy to ensure that public spending remains aligned with Pakistan’s economic targets. The delegation has also underlined the need for strict expenditure limits and urged the federal government to take concrete measures to curb unnecessary spending.

A committee will be formed to monitor the implementation of the public finance management plan, with regular updates to be shared with the IMF mission.

Review of budget reforms and financial targets

During its stay, the mission will review changes in budget practices, assess how the government is meeting financial and fiscal targets, and evaluate the implementation of key reform measures under the ongoing IMF program.

The delegation will also examine audit reports and spending patterns to identify areas that require enhanced oversight.

Focus on reducing losses, improving efficiency

The federal government, in turn, has emphasized its commitment to reducing energy and operational losses, which continue to strain public finances. Islamabad has also highlighted efforts to improve loan utilization and promote transparency in expenditure.

In addition, the IMF has directed Pakistan to work toward better tax collection, ensuring that subsidies are used efficiently and targeted to those who need them most.