Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to incorporate the economic toll of recent floods into its upcoming program review, stressing that disaster recovery must be factored into assessments of Pakistan’s performance. His appeal came during high-level meetings with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and World Bank President Ajay Banga, held on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly session in New York.
During his meeting with Georgieva, the prime minister acknowledged the IMF’s longstanding partnership with Pakistan and praised her leadership in steering critical programs. He noted that the Fund’s support had been instrumental in providing financial stability through multiple facilities, including a $3 billion Stand-By Arrangement for FY2024, a $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF), and a $1.4 billion Resilience & Sustainability Facility (RSF).
“Today, Pakistan’s economy, bolstered by deep-rooted structural reforms, is showing positive signs of stabilization and is on the path to recovery,” Sharif said, according to a statement released by his office. He highlighted that Pakistan had been making steady progress in meeting program benchmarks but underlined that the devastating floods must be considered in the IMF’s second semi-annual review of the EFF.
The review, scheduled to begin on September 25, 2025, will assess Pakistan’s economic performance during the March and June quarters. A successful outcome would pave the way for the IMF Board to approve the release of a $1 billion tranche, bringing total disbursements under the facility to more than $2 billion.
Georgieva expressed sympathy for the victims of the floods and emphasized the importance of conducting a comprehensive damage assessment to inform recovery efforts. She also reaffirmed the IMF’s readiness to continue supporting Pakistan as it advances its economic reform program.
In his separate engagement with World Bank President Ajay Banga, Sharif commended the Bank’s evolving role as a faster and more efficient partner for development. He acknowledged its critical support during previous crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the catastrophic floods of 2022, which left lasting economic and social impacts across the country.
The prime minister briefed Banga on the government’s reform priorities, which include resource mobilization, energy sector restructuring, privatization of state-owned enterprises, and climate change mitigation. He said these efforts were beginning to stabilize Pakistan’s macroeconomic environment, restore investor confidence, and encourage sustainable, inclusive growth.
Banga praised Pakistan’s reform agenda and reaffirmed the World Bank’s commitment to supporting the country’s long-term development goals. The discussion also covered the World Bank’s upcoming Country Partnership Framework (2026–2035), which includes an unprecedented $40 billion commitment to Pakistan. Sharif reiterated that his government would work closely with provincial administrations to ensure effective implementation of the partnership, positioning it as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s future economic trajectory.
With the IMF review approaching and World Bank commitments expanding, Pakistan faces a crucial moment in aligning international support with domestic reforms. The emphasis on integrating disaster recovery into financial planning reflects the government’s attempt to balance immediate needs with long-term stability.
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