IMF Board Approves Much-Awaited $7 Billion Bailout for Pakistan 

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Wednesday approved a $7 billion loan program for Pakistan, according to sources.  On July 12, IMF and Pakistani authorities reached a staff-level agreement on a 37-month Extended Fund Facility Arrangement (EFF) of about $7 billion.  The IMF Executive Board concluded the 2024 Article IV consultation with Pakistan and approved a 37-month Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Pakistan in the amount of SDR 5,320 million (or around US$7 billion). The Fund’s immediate disbursement will be SDR 760 million (or about US$1 billion). The lender said the new program will require sound policies and reforms to support the authorities’ ongoing efforts to strengthen macroeconomic stability, address deep structural challenges, and create conditions for stronger, more inclusive, and resilient growth. Continued strong financial support from Pakistan’s development and bilateral partners will also be critical for the program to achieve its objectives. Pakistan has taken key steps to restore economic stability with consistent policy implementation under the 2023-24 Stand-by Arrangement (SBA). Growth has rebounded (2.4 percent in FY24), supported by activity in agriculture, while inflation has receded significantly, falling to single digits, amid appropriately tight fiscal and monetary policies. A contained current account and calm foreign exchange market conditions have allowed the rebuilding of reserve buffers. Reflecting disinflation and steadier domestic and external conditions, the State Bank of Pakistan has been able to cut the policy rate by a total of 450 bps since June also supported by an appropriately tight FY25 budget. Despite this progress, Pakistan’s vulnerabilities and structural challenges remain formidable. A difficult business environment, weak governance, and an outsized role of the state hinder investment, which remains very low compared to peers, while the tax base remains too narrow to ensure tax fairness, fiscal sustainability and meet Pakistan’s large social and development spending needs. In particular, spending on health and education has been insufficient to tackle persistent poverty, and inadequate infrastructure investment has limited economic potential and left Pakistan vulnerable to the impact of climate change. Without a concerted adjustment and reform effort, Pakistan risks falling further behind its peers. Because of the progress and stability achieved under the 9-month 2023 SBA, the authorities are embarking on renewed efforts to address these challenges, build resilience, and enable sustainable growth. Key priorities under the new EFF-supported program include