A technical delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has arrived in Islamabad to discuss climate financing and related political measures with Pakistani officials, Express News reported Monday.
According to sources, the four-member IMF team will participate in conversations with federal and provincial authorities to review climate financing strategies, including green budgeting and tracking mechanisms.
The discussions, which will run until February 28, aim to assess Pakistan’s progress with climate adaptation and financing.
An important agenda is the proposed introduction of a carbon tax in the federal budget for the financial year 2025-26.
The IMF will present recommendations on its implementation and framework.
Negotiations will also cover subsidies, electric vehicles and expansion of green budgeting. Officials are expected to provide orientations on Pakistan’s current climate initiatives and future plans.
The IMF delegation’s visit is part of broader efforts to adapt Pakistan’s economic policy with global climate commitments, ensuring sustainable economic reforms.
Furthermore, the IMF has announced that its review mission will visit Pakistan to negotiate the next Tranche of Loans of $ 7 billion, with discussions also intended to focus on climate financing.
The IMF delegation is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan in early March to complete the first review of the ongoing loan program.
According to the IMF’s representative in Pakistan, Maahir Binesi, the delegation will participate in conversations about the next installment of the loan and will also review the technical aspects of climate financing at Pakistan’s request.
Finance Minister Aurangzeb had previously said Pakistan expects $ 1-1.5 billion dollars in climate financing from the global lender.
Last month, IMF meetings with officials from the auditor in Pakistan (AGP), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to carry out a management and corruption assessment.
Sources revealed that the IMF mission was informed of transparency and the audit process in the public sector. The mission was informed that Parliament serves as the highest forum for auditing and accountability in the public sector.
In addition, the opposition has authority to revise government institutions where the head of the public accounting committee is nominated by the opposition leader.
FBR officials provided a briefing on digitization and tax reform aimed at ensuring transparency in the tax system. Meanwhile, the SECP representatives assessed IMF on measures taken to increase the ease of doing business in the stock market and business.
The IMF mission also held meetings with officials from the Ministry of Climate Change and the Ministry of Housing and Works.
