The Caretaker Minister for Finance recently presided over the inaugural meeting with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Technical Assistance Mission, focusing on the digitisation of the budgetary process.
The mission, led by Fazeer Rahim and Sybi Hida, senior economists from the Public Financial Management Division, along with IMF Resident Representative in Pakistan, Esther Pérez Ruiz, discussed strategies for enhancing the efficiency of the budget-making process through digitisation.
During the meeting, the minister highlighted the importance of tailoring the IMF’s recommendations to the specific needs of the ministry.
The goal is to streamline and improve the effectiveness of budgetary procedures through the integration of digital technologies.
The Technical Assistance Mission is committed to providing practical and implementable solutions tailored to the ministry’s requirements.
This collaborative effort seeks to modernise and optimise the budgetary framework, aligning it with contemporary digital practices.
In related developments, discussions have surfaced regarding Pakistan’s pursuit of another loan package from the IMF upon the completion of the ongoing standby agreement.
The caretaker government has initiated consultations for the forthcoming IMF programme, and sources indicate that talks with the IMF are likely to commence in the current month.
Finance ministry officials have clarified that the elected government will carry forward the measures initiated by the caretaker government.
It is anticipated that the newly elected government will be responsible for finalising and signing the IMF programme, assuming governance responsibilities.
