A technical delegation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has arrived in Islamabad to discuss climate financing and policy measures related to Pakistani officials, Express News reported Monday.
According to the sources, the FMI team of four members will be involved in conversations with federal and provincial authorities to review climate financing strategies, including green budget and monitoring mechanisms.
The discussions, which will run until February 28, aim to evaluate Pakistan’s progress in climate adaptation and financing.
A key element of the agenda is the proposed introduction of a carbon tax in the federal budget for fiscal year 2025-26.
The IMF will present recommendations on its implementation and frame.
Negotiations will also cover subsidies, electric vehicles and the expansion of the green budget. Officials are expected to provide informative sessions on the current climatic initiatives of Pakistan and future plans.
The visit of the IMF delegation is part of broader efforts to align Pakistan’s financial policies with global climatic commitments, ensuring sustainable economic reforms.
In addition, the IMF has announced that its review mission will visit Pakistan to negotiate the next section of the loan of $ 7 billion, with discussions that will also focus on climate financing.
The IMF delegation is scheduled to get to Pakistan in early March to carry out the first review of the current loan program.
According to the IMF representative in Pakistan, Maahir Binsi, the delegation will participate in conversations about the next delivery of the loan and will also review the technical aspects of climate financing at the request of Pakistan.
The Minister of Finance, Aurengzeb, had previously said that Pakistan expects $ 1-1.5 billion in climatic funds of the global lender.
Last month, the IMF held meetings with officials of the Pakistan General Auditor (AGP), the Federal Income Board (FBR) and the Pakistan Stock Exchange and Securities Commission (SECP) to carry out a governance and corruption evaluation.
The sources revealed that the IMF mission was informed about transparency and the audit process in the public sector. The mission was informed that Parliament serves as the highest forum for auditing and responsibility in the public sector.
In addition, the opposition has the authority to audit government institutions, with the head of the Public Accounts Committee nominated by the opposition leader.
FBR officials provided information on digitalization and tax reforms aimed at guaranteeing transparency in the fiscal system. Meanwhile, the SECP representatives informed the IMF about the measures taken to improve the ease of doing business in the stock market and the corporate sector.
The IMF mission also held meetings with officials from the Ministry of Climate Change and the Ministry of Housing and Works.
