New York, The Gulf Observer: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that Pakistan was successfully transitioning from macroeconomic stabilization towards economic recovery, supported by prudent fiscal and monetary policies despite regional conflict and external inflationary pressures.
The prime minister made these remarks during a meeting with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Prime Minister Shehbaz reaffirmed his government’s strong ownership of the economic reform agenda and reiterated Pakistan’s determination to sustain the reform momentum and advance structural measures aimed at strengthening the economy and laying the foundations for sustainable and inclusive growth.
He appreciated the IMF’s continued support for Pakistan’s economy and Managing Director Georgieva’s role in strengthening the partnership between Pakistan and the Fund. He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to successfully implementing the IMF-supported reform programme.
Highlighting improvements in fiscal discipline, external buffers and investor confidence, the prime minister cited the National Tariff Regime, enhanced domestic revenue mobilization and progress in the privatization process as key examples of the government’s reform efforts.
He underscored that the government remained committed to protecting vulnerable segments of society while continuing to pursue economic reforms.
The IMF Managing Director appreciated Pakistan’s performance under the Fund-supported programme and the government’s stabilization efforts, saying that these measures were producing tangible results.
The two sides also discussed Pakistan’s forthcoming IMF programme review and continued cooperation to advance reforms, strengthen economic resilience and support sustainable economic growth.
Following the meeting, Georgieva said in a post on X that she had met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to discuss Pakistan’s reform efforts.
She said strong implementation had helped preserve stability, restore confidence and regain market access, adding that continued reforms would help increase growth and improve people’s lives.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Advisor on Privatization Muhammad Ali, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi and other senior officials also attended the meeting.
