Pakistan, May 15 -- Budget Talks Progress as IMF Stresses Spending Cuts and Climate-Tagged Subsidies

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that Pakistan's total revenue will rise to nearly Rs20 trillion in the fiscal year 2025-26. This is a significant increase from the current year's estimate of under Rs17.8 trillion. The IMF, however, emphasized the need for tighter spending controls to ensure debt sustainability.

Following three days of technical discussions held online, formal policy-level talks are set to begin on May 19 and will continue until May 23. Officials expect these negotiations to finalize budgetary measures and the broader economic framework, paving the way for Pakistan to present its federal budget on June...