NEW YORK: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has urged Pakistan to “collect more taxes from the wealthy and protect the poor people”.
“Of course, it is difficult but Pakistan has to do it in line with the IMF programme as we stand by the people of Pakistan.”, IMF MD told a local news channel after meeting with caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar.
Responding to a question, she said it is in the interest of the people of Pakistan that the country revitalises its economy and addresses some of the “shortcomings” of the past.
Later in a post on X (formerly Twitter), the IMF chief said she had a good meeting with the Pakistani premier on the country’s economic prospects.
“We agreed on the vital need for strong policies to ensure stability, foster sustainable and inclusive growth, prioritise revenue collection, and protection for the most vulnerable in Pakistan,” Georgieva added.
Caretaker Prime Minister Kakar held a meeting with Managing Director of IMF Kristalina Georgieva on Wednesday in New York on the sidelines of 78th UNGA session on Wednesday afternoon.
The prime minister expressed gratitude for the IMF’s approval of a $3 billion Stand-By Agreement (SBA) to support Pakistan’s economy.
He briefed the MD IMF on various measures taken by the Government of Pakistan to stabilize and revive the country’s economy. The Prime Minister affirmed that these initiatives aim to create a stable and conducive environment for sustainable economic growth and investment. Additionally, a strong focus had been placed on protecting the vulnerable segments of society.
Ms Georgieva appreciated Pakistan’s concerted efforts in implementing policies and reforms to revive the economy. She assured that the IMF remained committed to continued engagement with Pakistan.
On his X handle, the premier said he had a constructive dialogue with Managing Director, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva, on the sidelines of the 78th UNGA session.
During the meeting, they emphasized extending their mutual commitment towards bolstering economic stability and growth in Pakistan.
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