ISLAMABAD: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff mission is likely to visit Pakistan on September 23 to conduct discussions on the fourth review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme and the third review under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).

Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kiyani during informal talks with media here on Thursday hinted that IMF mission may arrive on September 23.

The mission will undertake a comprehensive assessment of Pakistan’s economy under Article-IVand initiate negotiations for the release of the next tranche under the EFF, as well as RSF.

The Fund’s mission will examine tax collection, besides reforms in the energy sector and progress on the privatisation programme. Governance and anti-corruption measures will also come under discussion, particularly transparency in appointments to key institutions.

After IMF staff and the Pakistani authorities reach a staff level agreement (SLA) on the fourth review under the EFF and the third review under the RSF, the agreement will be subject to approval of the IMF’s Executive Board. Upon approval, Pakistan will have access to about USD 1 billion under the EFF and USD 200 million under the RSF. Pakistan has already received USD 4.8 billion under the two arrangements.

The Ministry of Finance has instructed relevant ministries and government divisions to complete preparations and provide updates on the implementation of commitments agreed with the global lender. The mission is likely to begin engagements in Karachi with officials of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) before moving to Islamabad for talks with the government’s economic team.—TAHIR AMIN