Pakistan, March 14 -- As Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) conclude their final round of negotiations today, the government has successfully assured the global lender that no mini-budget will be introduced before June's end.

According to Finance Ministry officials, the IMF has expressed satisfaction with Pakistan's economic performance, clearing the way for the release of the next $1 billion tranche under the $7 billion loan program.

Sources familiar with the discussions revealed that IMF officials, led by Nathan Porter, engaged in extensive meetings with Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. The review covered Pakistan's economic performance in the first half of the fiscal year and future policy objectives. The ...