A delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has arrived in Pakistan to begin negotiations on the country’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year, according to sources in the Finance Ministry. The IMF team is expected to remain in Pakistan until May 22, holding a series of in-depth discussions with the nation’s top economic policymakers.

Talks between the IMF and Pakistan’s economic team are already underway, focusing on finalizing income and expenditure plans for the next fiscal year. Key officials from the Ministry of Finance, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and the Planning Commission are actively participating in the negotiations. The IMF delegation is also scheduled to meet with representatives from the State Bank of Pakistan, the Economic Affairs Division, and the Ministry of Petroleum.

The Ministry of Finance aims to wrap up all budget proposals by May 22. Among the recommendations being considered is an ambitious economic growth target of 4.4 percent for the fiscal year 2025-26. The proposed budget also includes sector-specific growth targets: 4.8 percent for both agriculture and industry, and 4.3 percent for the services sector.

These targets will first be presented to the Annual Plan Coordination Committee (APCC) at its meeting on May 26. Final approval will then be sought from the National Economic Council.

For the current fiscal year, the government had set a growth target of 3.6 percent, with sectoral targets of 2 percent for agriculture, 4.4 percent for industry, and 4.1 percent for services.