ISLAMABAD – First round of talks between Pakistan and International Monetary Fund (IMF) under Post Programme Monitoring started Tuesday in Islamabad. The IMF mission would stay in Islamabad until January 20 to hold two rounds of talks. During the first round, technical talks would be held while the policy matters will be discussed in the second round in which Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh will lead country's economic team. On the first day of technical talks, Pakistan briefed the mission about the tax collection target and its plan to broaden the tax base. The visiting delegation was informed about the collection made during the first half (July-Dec) of the on-going financial year in which the FBR faced revenue shortfall of Rs70 billion.The Post Programme Monitoring mission reviews Pakistan's capacity to repay the loans after every six months.Sources said that Pakistan would not ask another bailout package in technical talks but it might ask for it in policy level talks. “Pakistan has no other option but to go for a fresh IMF programme.”

Trending Discussions

LHC moved for arrest of Altaf Hussain through Interpol

Eleven people killed in India road mishap